How to Embed Shopify File Uploads Anywhere in Your Store
Abdullah Shahid 
If you have been using Shopify for a while, you already know the Files area is quietly powerful. You can upload almost anything, like videos, PDFs, size charts, manuals, lookbooks. etc. and Shopify hosts it for you.
The problem is what happens after you upload.
By default, Shopify gives you a URL that you can paste as a simple link. If you want a PDF to open inside the page, or a video to autoplay in a product description, you usually end up in Custom Liquid, iframe code, or theme editing guides.
That is exactly the gap I wanted to explore in this blog:
- How far can you go with native Shopify Files
- Where the current experience falls short
- And how brands like Enoksen and SiaLinda are using EmbedAny to turn those same file URLs into inline, interactive content blocks all over their stores.
What Shopify Files Can (and Cannot) Do
Let’s start with a quick refresher.
From your admin dashboard, you can go to Content → Files and upload images, videos, PDFs, 3D models and most other file types your store needs. Those files can then be picked inside the product editor, theme customizer, metafields, and rich text areas. Shopify supports:
- Images (PNG, JPEG, WebP, etc.)
- Videos (MP4, MOV up to 1 GB, or external YouTube/Vimeo links)
- PDFs and other downloadable documents
When you upload a PDF, video, or other file, Shopify gives you a CDN URL. You can:
- Link to it from product descriptions or pages (“Download size guide”)
- Use it as a button link inside the theme editor
- Drop it inside a Custom Liquid block and wrap it in an
<iframe>to show it
All of that works, but it’s pretty limited for real-world ecommerce.
The limitations in everyday use
No easy inline embed
If you want to display a PDF or video inside the page (not just link to it), you need custom HTML or Liquid. Shopify’s rich text editor does not give you an “embed” option for generic file URLs.
Scattered content
You might upload a video for one product, a PDF manual for another, and a slide deck for a B2B page, but they all live as naked links unless you build custom sections.
Developer dependency
Adding iframes or custom Liquid for each new file does not scale. Marketing teams end up waiting on developers for every piece of content they want to embed.
So you have this powerful file library sitting in Shopify… but you cannot easily turn it into interactive content blocks across your store.
That’s where EmbedAny comes in.
How EmbedAny Unlocks Shopify Files
EmbedAny is a Shopify app that turns simple links into embedded widgets inside your store. The workflow is intentionally simple:
- You upload your file via Content → Files in Shopify.
- You copy the file URL from the Files page.
- You paste that link into a product description or rich text block and make it italic.
- EmbedAny automatically detects that italic link and converts it into an inline widget.
No iframes. No Liquid blocks. No custom code.
Since Shopify already hosts your videos, PDFs, and other files on its CDN, you don’t need any extra storage. EmbedAny just uses the link and handles the rendering.
That opens up a lot of creative possibilities.
Case Study: Enoksen’s Looped Watch Video
Let’s start with Enoksen, a brand known for their mechanical pilot watches. On their FLY Type B product page, they host a looped product video on Shopify’s CDN as an MP4 file.
Read Enoksen’s full case study.
Instead of leaving that video as a link or relying on a generic theme section, they:
- Upload the MP4 through Shopify Files
- Copy the CDN link (for example,
https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/...mp4) - Paste that link into the product description and italicise it
- Let EmbedAny turn it into an inline, autoplaying video widget
The result is a product page where shoppers can see the watch in motion right next to the specs and Add to Cart button. No extra app for video hosting. No hard-coded iframes. Just Shopify Files + EmbedAny.
Enoksen also embeds Instagram content to show lifestyle shots and wrist-shots from their feed. Combining Shopify-hosted video with embedded Instagram posts gives them both high production visuals and authentic UGC on the same page – without touching their theme.
Case Study: SiaLinda’s Rich Product Experiences
SiaLinda is a fashion brand that sells corsets, skirts and sensual outfits. On products like the Emmy underbust corset, they rely heavily on visual storytelling and clear sizing details to build trust.
Their pattern is similar:
- Upload media and documents (videos, lookbook PDFs, size charts) to Shopify Files
- Use EmbedAny to drop that content directly into the product page as inline viewers and players
- Combine this with their existing product photos, descriptions and size tabs
For a product like a corset, this matters a lot. Shoppers want to see:
- How the garment moves
- Close-up details of fabric and stitching
- Clear sizing and care instructions
By embedding PDFs and videos right inside the product content, SiaLinda reduces friction, cuts down on pre-purchase questions, and makes the page feel more premium — again, without custom coding every time they upload a new file.
Practical Use Cases for Embedding Shopify File Uploads
Once you understand the pattern: Upload to Shopify → copy URL → embed with EmbedAny, the number of scenarios explodes. Here are some of the most valuable ones I see.
Product manuals and spec sheets
If you sell electronics, tools, or complex products, you probably already upload:
- PDF manuals
- Technical spec sheets
- Safety instructions
Instead of hiding those behind a “Download PDF” link, you can:
- Embed the manual as an inline PDF viewer below the product details
- Keep the download button as a secondary option
This allows customers to skim key info without leaving the page.
Size charts and fitting guides
Fashion brands like SiaLinda benefit massively from clear sizing. You can:
- Upload size charts as PDFs or images
- Embed them using EmbedAny
- Add video try-ons or movement clips
This reduces returns and increases confidence.
Lookbooks, catalogs and line sheets
You might build seasonal catalogs in Canva, export to PDF, upload to Shopify, and then:
- Embed them on a “Collection Highlights” page
- Embed a lighter version on key product pages
- Use the same file in your wholesale portal
No need for a separate catalog viewer app.
Warranty cards and policy docs
If your product includes detailed care or warranty info:
- Upload the warranty PDF
- Embed it into product pages and a central “Warranty & Care” page
- Link it in your footer and post-purchase emails
This improves clarity and trust.
Training videos and onboarding content
For products needing onboarding:
- Upload tutorial videos
- Embed them into product pages, FAQ pages, or a Help Center
- Add onboarding videos to your Thank You page
Again: upload → copy link → italicise.
Step-by-Step: Embedding a Shopify File with EmbedAny
Let me put the workflow into a simple checklist you can follow.
Step 1: Upload your file to Shopify
- In your Shopify admin, go to Content → Files.
- Click Upload files and select your video, PDF, slide deck, etc.
- Wait for the upload to finish.
Step 2: Copy the file link
- Go to the Files page and copy the URL (it will start with
https://cdn.shopify.com/...).
Step 3: Paste and italicise the link
- Paste the full URL into a product description, page, blog, or section.
- Italicise it so EmbedAny can detect it.
Step 4: Save and preview
- Save the product or page.
- Refresh the live page.
- EmbedAny(/docs/embed-product-manuals-in-shopify) will convert it into an inline widget.
- You can repeat this anywhere across your store.
Wrapping Up
Shopify’s Files feature is one of the most underrated tools in the admin. It is your private media library for everything that does not fit into a simple image slot, like manuals, lookbooks, videos, size charts, price lists, and more.
If you are already uploading files to Shopify, you are halfway there. The next step is simple:
Upload once. Copy the link. Italicise it. Let EmbedAny do the rest and turn your static pages into rich, conversion-focused experiences.