# Viewing a PDF from the dashboard

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086>\
**Category:** Dashboard\
**Tags:** node-red-dashboard\
**Created:** [14 July 2022 10:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086 "2022-07-14T10:12:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carflomi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/carflomi/32/45646_2.png) [@carflomi](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/carflomi)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2022 10:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/1 "2022-07-14T10:12:48Z")

</div>

Hello.  
I am trying to view a pdf from inside a dashboard. More specifically:

- by clicking on a button, to be able to open a pdf (always the same pdf the user does not need to search for it).
- When the button is pressed the pdf file can be opened inside the dashboard.

Is there or do you know any node that allows me to see the pdf in the dashboard?

Greetings to the community and thank you for your attention.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![smanjunath211](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/smanjunath211/32/95742_2.png) [@smanjunath211](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/smanjunath211)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2022 12:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/2 "2022-07-14T12:01:26Z")

</div>

> [@Newbie - Show PDF in Dashboard](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/newbie-show-pdf-in-dashboard/19003/2):
>
> I just read your post over again and spotted that the way you’re trying to access your file is incorrect. Node-RED (thankfully) doesn’t have access to arbitrary files inside the home folder of the user who runs it. You need to put it in the static files directory, then build the correct link for node-red. You should be able to find that by a forum search. Old reply below: Is your goal to display the PDF within the dashboard, or redirect to the file? If to redirect, use a link (\<a href="Address…

try here...

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carflomi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/carflomi/32/45646_2.png) [@carflomi](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/carflomi)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2022 14:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/3 "2022-07-14T14:40:00Z")

</div>

Hello  
Thank you for your reply.  
My problem is not accessing the file, my problem is how to view that pdf, I explain why. I am using Chrome in kiosk mode, for this reason I need to see that file inside the dahboard (I have managed to open the file and open it but I get out of the dashboard).  
More details in the following images

1. Dashboard and button to access pdf  
 ![1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/8/7/87f1df1ede7339f6ab4f991e743bc779ea3bed9c.jpeg)
2. Dialog to select PDF (but already out of the Dashboard)  
 ![2](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/a/2/a262dde5dc43ad43ed923524bca5dc4168bbd04d.jpeg)
3. Pdf open.  
 ![3](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/2/5/259b2bf837d4befb77c93ff6c5ecd357ba412d2e.jpeg)

PROBLEM, In kiosk mode and with a pc panel (without mouse and keyboard, but with touch screen) it is impossible to go backwards.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![smanjunath211](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/smanjunath211/32/95742_2.png) [@smanjunath211](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/smanjunath211)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2022 15:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/4 "2022-07-14T15:02:12Z")

</div>

Sorry Friend.  
I am no expert in this subject, the link I suggested also has information on how to embed a pdf viewer in a browser so i thought it might be of value to you.  
There are many experts on this forum, give some time, some one will respond to you hopefully.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carflomi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/carflomi/32/45646_2.png) [@carflomi](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/carflomi)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2022 15:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/5 "2022-07-14T15:52:34Z")

</div>

I give myself the solution, I shared it in case it may be of interest to someone:

1. Problem accessing the file locally.  
Solution. I install Web Server for Chrome ([https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/web-server-for-chrome/ofhbbkphhbklhfoeikjpcbhemlocgigb/related](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/web-server-for-chrome/ofhbbkphhbklhfoeikjpcbhemlocgigb/related). and configure the pdf access directory  

2. Problem. embed the web in the dashboard  
Solution. use the node iframe.

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/0/7/077248f9fbc0da1379f1c03219102fcad7ae6193.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/b/a/bad101c3cffef923c6a1738f100261947116f0d0.png)

Result

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/e/ee625e5c28279e633c6eede0fbee3eab65c505e7.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/9/c/9cc85a4c8a49fd75f1c71fae267f3326e2b03cc1.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![smanjunath211](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/smanjunath211/32/95742_2.png) [@smanjunath211](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/smanjunath211)\
**Post date:** [15 July 2022 09:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/6 "2022-07-15T09:18:03Z")

</div>

Very nice of you to post the solution. 👍

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [29 July 2022 09:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/viewing-a-pdf-from-the-dashboard/65086/7 "2022-07-29T09:18:16Z")

</div>

This topic was automatically closed 14 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.