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Fix SharePoint Unsupported File Type Error When Uploading PDFs
Question details
The user is unable to upload a PDF file or web link to a SharePoint page because the system returns an unsupported file type error.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to attach a PDF training manual or add a web link directly into a SharePoint Image web part.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint displays an unsupported file type error message and blocks the upload, regardless of the user's site ownership permissions.
Before proceeding, ensure you have edit permissions for the SharePoint site and that your PDF file is saved locally on your device or in OneDrive.
Use the File and Media Web Part
The Image web part strictly accepts only image formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF). To display a PDF document on your SharePoint page, you must use the File and Media web part instead.
SharePoint web parts are designed for specific file types. The Image web part cannot process document formats like PDFs. Switching to the File and Media web part allows you to embed the PDF so users can read it directly on the page without downloading it.
Navigate to your SharePoint page and click the 'Edit' button located in the top right corner of the screen.
Hover your mouse over the section where you want the PDF to appear and click the '+' (Add a new web part) icon.
Search for and select the 'File and Media' web part (this may be called 'File Viewer' in older SharePoint versions).
Browse your recent files, select a file from your site, or click 'Upload' to select the PDF from your computer. Click 'Open' to embed it on the page.
Upload to a Document Library and Add a Link
If you do not need to display the actual contents of the PDF on the page, you can upload it to a Document Library and link to it using a Quick Links or Text web part.
Edit and Manage Your PDFs with WPS Office
While SharePoint is excellent for hosting your team's files, you need a reliable tool to create and edit those documents before uploading. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully-featured office suite that lets you handle PDFs, Word documents, and Excel spreadsheets effortlessly—without the high subscription costs of Microsoft Office.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website onto your computer.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file you intend to share on your SharePoint site.
- 3. Edit and Save: Make any necessary text edits, add annotations, or compress the PDF file size, then save the optimized file locally to prepare it for upload.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the SharePoint Image web part reject my PDF?
The Image web part is hardcoded to accept only standard image file formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF. It does not have the capability to render document formats like PDF, Word, or Excel.
Can I embed a PDF directly on a SharePoint page?
Yes, you can embed a PDF directly on the page by using the 'File and Media' web part. This creates a scrollable viewer so visitors can read the document without navigating away from the page.
Does having Full Control permission let me bypass SharePoint file type restrictions?
No. Site permissions control who can edit or view content, but they do not override the technical limitations of a specific web part. You still must use the correct web part for the respective file type.
What is the best way to share multiple PDFs on a SharePoint site?
If you are sharing multiple PDF files, it is best to upload them all to a SharePoint Document Library. You can then use the 'Document Library' web part on your page to display a neat, organized list of all the files for users to access.
