How to add product documents in WooCommerce

Decide whether the files should be visible to anyone viewing the product or only to customers who have bought it. Manuals and specifications are usually public. Licences, paid guides, or order-specific files should normally be delivered after purchase.

This choice matters because WooCommerce's built-in downloadable product feature sends download links after payment; it does not by itself create a public documents area beside the product details.

For a small catalogue, upload each file to the WordPress Media Library, copy its file URL, and add a descriptive link in the product's long description or short description. Use labels such as Download the user manual rather than showing a long PDF filename.

This route is fine when each product has only one or two documents. Its drawbacks are that links must be maintained by hand, files are not automatically grouped into a documents section, and Media Library files are publicly reachable by anyone who has the direct URL.

Edit the product and enable Downloadable in the product data panel. In the file area, click Add File, enter a file name, then upload the file or enter its full URL. Set an optional download limit and expiry, then update the product.

Customers receive the download through the order email and, when they have an account, through My Account > Downloads. For a physical product that includes a manual, leave shipping enabled; only select Virtual when the product itself does not need shipping.

When each product needs several public documents in a consistent area, install and activate a product-document extension. Edit a product, open its product-document fields in the product data panel, and add each document's label and file. The WooCommerce Product Documents documentation describes fields for the document name, URL, and file selection.

Repeat the process for manuals, warranties, datasheets, and installation instructions. Configure the extension's display settings if you want the documents shown in a product tab, accordion, or another defined position.

Open the product in a private browser window and confirm that public documents appear with clear names and working links. If the files should be restricted, place them in WooCommerce's downloadable file area rather than relying on Media Library URLs, because Media Library files are publicly accessible through their direct addresses.

For downloadable products, also check the download method under WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Downloadable products. Large files can time out with forced downloads, and customers may not receive access until the order reaches the required status unless access-after-payment is enabled.

For a catalogue with several documents per product, use WooCommerce Product Documents instead of building and maintaining links in descriptions. It is designed for manuals, warranties, and specifications, with document fields and product-page display options in one workflow.

Add the extension, edit each product, attach the files in the product-document area, choose how they should display, and test one product on desktop and mobile before applying the same structure across the catalogue.