# Limitations in Previewing PDF Files in Rocket.Chat

**URL:** <https://forums.rocket.chat/t/limitations-in-previewing-pdf-files-in-rocket-chat/22723>\
**Category:** Community Support\
**Tags:** docker\
**Created:** [February 9, 2026, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/limitations-in-previewing-pdf-files-in-rocket-chat/22723 "2026-02-09T10:51:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dan](https://forums.rocket.chat/u/dan)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/limitations-in-previewing-pdf-files-in-rocket-chat/22723/1 "2026-02-09T10:51:50Z")

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Correct me if I’m wrong, but Rocket.Chat Community Edition currently does not support in-browser preview of PDF files uploaded to its servers. While images can be previewed directly within the chat interface, PDF and other document types require either downloading or opening externally. This limitation arises because Rocket.Chat’s preview feature (`chat.getURLPreview`) only fetches metadata and does not stream file content. As a result, users often need to download files to view them, which can interrupt workflow and reduce user experience.

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**Author:** ![reetp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/forums.rocket.chat/reetp/32/5546_2.png) [@reetp](https://forums.rocket.chat/u/reetp)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/limitations-in-previewing-pdf-files-in-rocket-chat/22723/2 "2026-02-09T13:57:30Z")

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I presume this is you as well?

> <https://github.com/RocketChat/Rocket.Chat/issues/38559>
>
> \### Current behavior
> When a PDF file is shared in a conversation, Rocket.Chat on…ly displays the file name with a download option. There is no visual preview of the document content.
> 
> \### Expected behavior
> Similar to apps like WhatsApp or Slack, a PDF attachment should display a thumbnail preview of its first page. Clicking the preview should open or download the PDF.
> 
> \### Why this is useful
> \- Improves user experience and message readability
> \- Helps users quickly identify the document content without downloading
> \- Aligns Rocket.Chat UX with other modern messaging platforms

Please use one topic in one place rather than trying everywhere to get attention. It is hard to follow & gets confusing.

Read all bugs including closed ones before you start.

It’s not just CE but all versions.

The pdf library was removed years ago as it was big, cumbersome & flaky IIRC. I doubt they’ll restore it in core.

Your best bet is to ask on open.rocket.chat in the gsoc channels, and look at writing an app.

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**Author:** ![dan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dan](https://forums.rocket.chat/u/dan)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/limitations-in-previewing-pdf-files-in-rocket-chat/22723/3 "2026-02-25T11:58:11Z")

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That’s not me, and also yeah, I figured the pdf preview was removed years ago. Anyways, thank you.