Google Drive file links support
Folks, our former Wishlist portal, where our users shared their requests and suggestions, was transferred to this forum. You’re most welcome to vote, add new ideas, and leave your comments here — we surely will consider them all! 
Original Votes: 1
Hi there,
is there a possibility to use the link from your own google drive, where the pdf is stored instead of the need to upload the pdf first to elfsights google drive and then embed it?
Thank you
2 Likes
Hi there, @Nepal 
Unfortunately, Google Drive links are not supported in our app. I am really sorry!
We already have a request for this feature on the Wishlist, and I’ve merged your comment with the existing thread 
2 Likes
Dear Max,this is very strange.
When I am uploading my pdf to embed it via elfsight, Elfsight stores my pdf on GOOGLE !!! Please see screenshot.
What is the difference between Elfsights google links and mine?
2 Likes
Thanks!
I’ll discuss it with the devs and will get back to you tomorrow
1 Like
Hi @Nepal
Files uploaded to the widget are stored on our domain files.elfsight.com, but not on Google. If you hover the download option, you’ll see this address:
However, if you click on the Pop-out button, the file will be opened through the Google Docs Viewer and this part (https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=) is added to the file link.
So, the files are opened through the Google Docs Viewer, but stored on our domain
1 Like
Oh I see, thank you for the explanation.
I learnt now that your files are stored on your server and not on google. As your server has also a PDF viewer, I am not sure, why it is additionally necessary with Google ?
Additionally, I have following problem:
One can deactivate the download button, which is great - however, the google viewer button is still visible and if one clicks on it, one can still print/download the file from the google drive.
How can I avoid this?
When I deactivate the download button, I am obviously aiming to prevent people to download the file.
2 Likes
and I have one more question: There is an option called: “Add file by link”.
I cannot add Google drive links, I learnt - which links CAN I use?
2 Likes
Hi @Nepal
Thank you for your questions!
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely disable download/print options. We have a request for this feature and you can upvote it here - Do not allow downloads or prints.
Regarding your questions about links and Google Docs usage, please let me discuss it with the devs. I’ll let you know once I hear back from them
1 Like
Hi @Nepal
Google Docs offers a handy API for displaying PDF files, which allows us to ensure quick and stable document loading, this is why we’re using it for opening docs.
All links except for the Google Drives are supported in our app. Here is an example of the link.
Note: The links should lead directly to the file and not to a website with the file
1 Like
I do not understand the note: The links should lead directly to the file and not to a website with the file
Where can the file be stored? I tried several of my clouds - and I do not get it run at all.
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You can store the files on your website or use some 3rd party services for this.
Could you please send me links to the files in your clouds you’ve tried to use? I’ll check it with the devs
What is meant by 3rd party service?
Which website? We only have Moodle LMS, where we want to embed the content, which is stored somewhere else.
If we anyways have to store everything on teh Moodle LMS, there is no need for any widget, because I already have it stored on the website and can use the pdf viewer there.
Our use of Elfsight is to embed content which is stored NOT on the website itself.
I tried Pcloud and Dropbox, but deleted the pdf files again as it was not working - like it is not working with Google Drive
1 Like
Under 3rd party service, I meant services like Dropbox.
I’ve tried to upload the file to Dropbox, added a link to the widget and everything worked fine. You just should replace dl=0 with raw=1 at the end of the link.
Please try it out and let me know if it worked
@Nepal If you prefer using Pcloud, please try to upload your file there and share a link with us. Our devs will look into this for you!