BUG-000169989 for ArcGIS Online

Bug ID Number	BUG-000169989
Submitted	August 14, 2024
Last Modified	April 15, 2025
Applies to	ArcGIS Online
Version found	June 2024
Operating System	N/A
Operating System Version	N/A
Status	Known Limit

Additional Information

This is expected. PDF files cannot be viewed within apps embedded in a story map for security reasons. Loading PDFs within embedded apps is not compliant with the security policies and best practices of ArcGIS StoryMaps and many other apps and websites. Please see the FAQ for more information: https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-storymaps/get-started/faq.htm#anchor22

Workaround

Embed the PDFs in ArcGIS StoryMaps directly:

Upload the PDFs to be embedded in ArcGIS StoryMaps to Google Drive.
For each PDF, open the preview window by selecting the PDF.
Set the Sharing level at the top right corner to 'Anyone with the Link can View' and click 'Done'. Do not copy the link from the 'Share' configuration, the PDF does not display with this link.
Click the three vertical dots to the left of the 'Share' configuration at the top right corner.
Select 'Open in New Window' from the drop-down menu.
In the new window, again click the three vertical dots at the top right of the screen.
Select 'embed item' from the drop-down menu.
Copy the URL generated in the pop-up.
Navigate to ArcGIS StoryMaps and open the project.
Select the option to add a feature to the ArcGIS StoryMaps.

Either directly embed the PDF by selecting 'embed' and pasting the URL or add a Sidecar, then use the 'Add' option in the Sidecar to select embed.

For information on why it is not feasible to embed the Google Drive document in ArcGIS Instant Apps, see BUG-000169987: Attempting to Embed a PDF hosted in Google Drive to the Portfolio Instant App causes the app to become non-responsive