How to Publish PDF's Online

By Amy Dombrower

Publishing a Portable Document Format (PDF) file online can provide others a way to download your resume or portfolio, read your eBook or find detailed instructions for a product you’re selling. Other than hosting a PDF on your own website, you can publish PDFs online using a free publishing site, such as Google Docs, Scribd and Issuu, to name a few. You can let your PDFs remain public on these sites so anyone can view them or embed a PDF file on your own website.

Google Docs

Step 1

Log in to your Google account. It’s free to create an account if you don’t already have one.

Step 2

Open Google Docs.

Step 3

Click the “Upload” button. Click “Select Files to Upload” to choose your PDF files. Select “Convert Documents, Presentations, and Spreadsheets to the Corresponding Google Docs Format” if you want to be able to edit the documents later. Click “Start Upload.”

Step 4

Open a PDF that you want to publish from your Google Docs list. Click “Share.” This will make the file public to other viewers. Check “Allow Anyone with the Link to View.” Copy the listed link so you can share it with others. Click “Save and Close.”

Scribd

Step 1

Sign up and log in to Scribd. Scribd is a site where you can freely upload documents to publish online.

Step 2

Click the “Upload” button at the top of the page. Click “Select File.” Click “Upload” to choose multiple files you want to publish to the site.

Step 3

Select files from your hard drive and click “Open.” The documents will be uploaded to the Scribd website, and you’ll also have the option to embed files in your own website. Scribd provides you with a link to the document you can share with others.

Step 4

Enter a title, category and description to help others find your document easily. Click “Save.”

Step 1

Log on to Issuu and create a free account.

Step 2

Click “Upload Document” in the top-right corner.

Step 3

Click “Browse Files” to upload a PDF file you want to publish.

Step 4

Continue through the prompts to upload the document. Your document will be published on Issuu and can be embedded on your own site.

×