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How to upload a PDF online and share it as a link

Stop emailing PDF attachments. Upload your PDF, get a clean link with an in-browser viewer, and update the file later without sending a new link.

The StaticHero Team · · 2 min read

PDF

PDFs are everywhere: CVs, brochures, price lists, reports, e-books, menus. Emailing them as attachments works, up to the point where you need to fix a typo — and now there are two versions floating around.

Sharing a PDF as a link fixes that, and a few other problems too.

  • One source of truth. Update the file and everyone sees the latest version.
  • No size limits. Email providers cap attachments; links don’t care.
  • Works everywhere. Phones, tablets and laptops open it in the browser.
  • Measurable. You can see how many people opened it.
  • Printable as a QR code for posters, flyers and packaging.
  1. Create a free StaticHero account.
  2. Choose an address that describes the document, like annual-report-2026 or maya-patel-cv.
  3. Drag the PDF in.

You get a link that opens your PDF in a full-screen viewer, with a download button and the file name in the header.

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Updating the PDF

Upload the new version to the same site. The link doesn’t change, and the previous version is saved in version history — useful if you need to check what a client saw last week.

Keeping documents private

On paid plans:

  • Password protection for investor decks, client reports and internal docs.
  • Expiry dates so a proposal stops being available after the deadline.
  • Hide from search engines so the document isn’t indexed.

Several PDFs in one place

Upload a folder of PDFs to create a simple document library. If there’s no HTML page, StaticHero generates a clean file index so people can browse and download. For a branded version, add an index.html that links to each file.

Tips for web-friendly PDFs

  • Compress images before exporting — most PDF tools have a “reduce file size” or “web” preset.
  • Use real text, not scanned images, so it’s searchable and accessible.
  • Add a title in the document properties — browsers show it in the tab.
  • Keep the first page useful — many people never scroll past it on mobile.

Attachments get lost in inboxes. Links get read.

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