- Grid and List show file names and icons, not inline document previews
- Free-tier widgets carry Elfsight branding and monthly view limits
- The widget stops showing if the Elfsight account lapses
Overview
File Embed from Elfsight lets you place documents on a Squarespace page so visitors can read them there, open them in a new browser tab or download them. It supports common formats including PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with around 20 formats listed by the vendor. This is an embeddable widget hosted on Elfsight's platform, not native Squarespace code. In Elfsight's editor, you can add files by uploading them, entering URLs or selecting recently uploaded files. You can choose a File Viewer, Grid or List layout, set file names, show or hide icons, and adjust the title, width, font sizes and six interface colours. Custom icons and preview pictures are also options.
Who it suits
This widget suits Squarespace site owners who need to share documents such as presentations, spreadsheets, certificates or other reference materials on a page. The File Viewer layout is for reading documents on the page, while Grid and List layouts organise file names and icons. A free plan is available to start with.
One honest caveat
The vendor describes inline reading in the File Viewer layout. Grid and List show file names and icons, with icons that can be clicked to open or download files, so choose the layout that suits how visitors need to use the documents. Elfsight's free tier carries its branding and monthly view limits; paid plans remove those limits and branding. The widget stops showing if your Elfsight account lapses.
Installation
Build and configure the widget in Elfsight's online editor, then copy its embed code. In Squarespace, add a Code Block where you want the files to appear and paste in the code. Later changes made in the Elfsight editor update automatically on the page, so you do not need to replace the embed code for each edit.
Related guide: browse more Squarespace utility and developer plugins, or the full Squarespace plugins hub.
Choose from three layouts. File Viewer is for reading documents on the page, with scrolling and zooming described by the vendor. Grid and List organise file names and icons; visitors can click an icon to open or download a file. The vendor also describes inline previews, opening files in a new browser tab and optional downloads.
The editor includes options to show or hide file icons, add custom icons and preview pictures, and show or hide the Download document label. You can change the widget title, font sizes, width in pixels or percentages, and the colours of six interface elements. These settings let you adjust the file display to suit its place on your site.
This is an Elfsight hosted widget rather than a built-in Squarespace feature. Configure it in Elfsight's online editor and add the embed code to a Squarespace Code Block. Changes made in the editor update automatically on the site. The free plan is a way to try the widget, with Elfsight branding and monthly view limits on free-tier widgets. Paid plans remove these; the widget stops displaying if the Elfsight account lapses.
- Supports common document formats, including PDF and Office files
- Add files by upload, URL or recent uploads
- File Viewer, Grid and List layout options
- Adjust file names, icons, colours and widget width
- Free plan with Elfsight branding and view limits
Full specifications
Specifications
Add files by upload, url or recent uploads
File viewer, grid and list layout options
Adjust file names, icons, colours and widget width
Free plan with elfsight branding and view limits
Professionals displaying certificates or qualifications
Teams publishing spreadsheets or presentations
Squarespace owners who want files viewable on a page
Free-tier widgets carry elfsight branding and monthly view limits
The widget stops showing if the elfsight account lapses