Embed PDFs in Jupyter Notebooks on GitHub: A Comprehensive Guide (2026)

Jupyter Notebooks are a great way to combine executable code, rich text, and multimedia resources in a single document. One common need is to embed PDF files directly within a Jupyter Notebook, especially when you share notebooks via GitHub for collaborative projects or public repositories. This guide will show you how to effectively embed PDFs in Jupyter Notebooks that are hosted on GitHub, ensuring that they display correctly for anyone viewing the notebook.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to embed PDFs in Jupyter Notebooks hosted on GitHub.
• Understand the use of IPython's IFrame for displaying PDFs.
• Overcome common issues with paths and permissions.
• Discover best practices for organizing files in GitHub repositories.

Embedding PDFs can be crucial for projects that require documentation, academic papers, or additional reading materials. However, displaying PDFs from a GitHub repository within a Jupyter Notebook requires understanding the right way to reference these files. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from setting up your repository to troubleshooting common issues.

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of Jupyter Notebooks and GitHub.
• A GitHub account and a repository set up with your Jupyter Notebook and PDF files.
• Familiarity with Python and IPython’s display utilities.

Step 1: Prepare Your GitHub Repository

Before embedding PDFs in your Jupyter Notebook, ensure that your repository is organized correctly. Place your Jupyter Notebook and PDF files in the same directory or a logical subdirectory within your repository. This will make path management simpler and more intuitive.

.
├── my_notebook.ipynb
├── document1.pdf
└── document2.pdf

Having a clear directory structure ensures that paths are straightforward, reducing errors and improving the readability of your repository.

Step 2: Use IPython's IFrame to Embed PDFs

Jupyter Notebooks can utilize the IFrame class from IPython.display to embed PDFs. This method provides a flexible approach to display documents directly within the notebook interface.

from IPython.display import IFrame

# Embed a PDF stored in the GitHub repository
IFrame(src='https://github.com/yourusername/yourrepository/raw/main/document1.pdf', width=900, height=800)

Replace yourusername and yourrepository with your GitHub username and repository name, respectively. The raw part of the URL is crucial as it ensures that the file is served correctly.

Step 3: Verify File Permissions and Links

Ensure that your repository's permissions allow access to the raw files. If your repository is private, consider the access permissions of your collaborators. Public repositories will not have this issue. Double-check the URLs for typos or incorrect paths.

Step 4: Test the Notebook Locally and on GitHub

Before pushing your changes to GitHub, test the notebook locally to ensure the PDFs display correctly. Once confirmed, push your changes and view the notebook directly on GitHub to verify everything works as expected.

Common Errors/Troubleshooting

• File Not Found: Ensure the path in the URL matches the exact file location in your repository.
• Permission Denied: Check if the repository is public or if collaborators have the necessary permissions.
• Display Issues: Confirm the use of the raw URL to access the file.

Conclusion

Embedding PDFs in Jupyter Notebooks hosted on GitHub is a powerful way to enhance your project documentation and presentations. By following this guide, you can ensure that your PDFs are displayed correctly and accessible to anyone viewing your notebooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my PDF displaying in the notebook?

Ensure the file path is correct and that you're using the raw URL from GitHub.

Can I use this method for private repositories?

Yes, but ensure that collaborators have the necessary access permissions.

What if the PDF is too large?

Consider compressing the PDF or adjusting the IFrame dimensions to better fit the content.