All articles by default get a PDF generated for them, downloadable using the PDF icon next to the article title. If you don't want a specific article to have a PDF download, here's a setting in the article editor to prevent the PDF download. This can be especially useful when the content either doesn't show up well in PDFs or when the article contains only video content, which won't show up in a PDF.
If you prefer to turn off PDF downloads for all articles, refer to the instructions in Remove the PDF, print, or email icon from all articles.
The information below varies based on whether you're using our 2026 new editor or old editor.
To figure out which instructions to follow:
- Open any article for editing.
- If the lefthand navigation is collapsed and there's a link near the top of the page to Switch to old editor, follow the New editor documentation.
- If the lefthand navigation is expanded and the top of the editor and the righthand column have a heavier grey background, follow the Old editor documentation.
Here are side-by-side examples of the new editor and the old editor:
Sample New editor
Sample Old editorTry out the new editor
We'd love your feedback on the new editor. To switch to the new editor, open any article for editing and select the Switch to new editor link at the top of the editor.
In the new article editor, this setting is found in the Permissions section in the righthand column:
- Open the article for editing.
- In the Permissions section, select any of the text next to Export access.
Select any of the text next to Export accessThe Export access modal opens. - To allow readers to download this article in PDF format, keep the default Readers can export article as PDF option selected.
- To prevent readers from downloading this article in PDF format, select the Don't allow readers to export option:
Select the Don't allow readers to export option - Be sure to Save your changes.
In the old article editor, this setting is found in the Display Settings section in the righthand column:
- Open the article for editing.
- In the Display Settings section, check the box to Remove PDF icon:
Check the Display Settings box to Remove PDF icon - Be sure to Save your changes.
