Skip to content

Settings

Connect Google Drive and Dropbox once, then embed files that stay where they live.

Google Drive & Dropbox

Connecting cloud storage lets you embed a file that lives in Google Drive or Dropbox instead of uploading a copy to WordPress. The viewer always fetches the current version, which suits documents you replace often.

Find it at: Document Embedder → Settings. This is a one-time setup: once the keys are saved, the cloud buttons appear on every new document.

Setting up Dropbox

  1. Open

    Open dropbox.com/developers/apps/create and sign in.

  2. Create a new Dropbox API app and copy the App Key it

    Create a new Dropbox API app and copy the App Key it gives you.

  3. In WordPress, go to Document Embedder -> Settings ->

    In WordPress, go to Document Embedder → Settings → Dropbox API.

  4. Paste the key into Dropbox App Key and save

    Paste the key into Dropbox App Key and save.

Setting up Google Drive

Google needs three values from the Google Cloud Console. They go in Document Embedder → Settings → Google Drive API.

The three Google Drive credentials.
NameType / valuesDefaultDescription
Google API keyProTextEmptyIdentifies the request to Google's servers. Without it the file picker cannot open.
Google Client IDProTextEmptyProves that your specific site has permission to access your files. This is the OAuth side of the connection.
Google Project NumberProTextEmptyThe numeric ID of your project in Google Cloud, which routes the request to the right application.

The Settings screen carries its own Read Documentation link beside these fields, pointing at the online setup walkthrough with a screenshot for each step in the Google Cloud Console.

Using a cloud file

  1. Create or edit a document and stay on the General tab

    Create or edit a document and stay on the General tab.

  2. Click Connect Google Drive or Select from Dropbox

    Click Connect Google Drive or Select from Dropbox. Google asks for permission the first time, then the button becomes Select File.

  3. Browse to the file and choose it

    Browse to the file and choose it. The Document field fills in with the cloud URL.

  4. Publish, then place the shortcode on a page as usual

    Publish, then place the shortcode on a page as usual.

If the buttons are missing

The cloud buttons only render once the matching keys are saved. Until then the General tab shows a link to the Settings page instead. On a free install the fields themselves are locked, because cloud sources are a Pro feature.

What a cloud file cannot do

Four things stop working

A document pulled straight from Google Drive or Dropbox cannot use the download button, the filename display, the Custom PDF, Flipbook or Slider engines, or Secure Document Delivery. Cloud files are rendered by the Default (Google) engine only. Upload the file to your Media Library if you need any of those.

The one Pro option written specifically for cloud files is Disable Popout, which hides the open in new window icon Google adds to its frame. See General.

Was this page helpful?

Last updated 08/25/2026

Badge Icon Save 90%