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Why is my PDF link displaying with numbers and letters?

Display the original file name on your Webflow hotel website

Key points:

  • Understanding why Webflow automatically renames your PDF files.
  • Retain or display the original document name.
  • Improve the clarity and credibility of your links for visitors.

When you import a PDF file into Webflow, its link often takes the form of a string of numbers and letters (for example: https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/abcd1234/65c7f4e3d9a8f8c2a2f.pdf). This can be surprising, especially if you want to display a professional document like a hotel brochure or restaurant menu. Here's why this happens and how to fix it.

1. Why does Webflow automatically rename files?

When a file is uploaded to Webflow, the platform:

  • Automatically renames the file to avoid duplicates.
  • Adds a unique identifier to the URL (abcd1234...) to ensure internal resource management and security. 💡 This does not change the actual file name on your computer, only its web address.

2. How to display the original file name

Even if Webflow changes the name in the URL, you can control the text visible on the site:

  1. Select the link or button associated with the file.
  2. In the Settings panel, verify that the link points to the imported PDF.
  3. Manually edit the link text to display the original name (e.g., “Download the hotel brochure”). 💡 The name displayed on the screen has no relation to the name of the hosted file. Therefore, you can freely customize the link text without changing the URL.

3. Alternative solution: Host the PDF with a clear name

If you want the link itself to retain a readable name (useful for SEO or brand image), you can:

  • Host the PDF on an external server such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or your hotel's hosting service.
  • Rename the file before uploading (e.g., brochure-hotel-paris.pdf).
  • Copy the file's public URL and paste it into Webflow. 💡 This method produces a link like https://your-domain.com/docs/brochure-hotel-paris.pdf, which is much more professional.

4. SEO tip and user experience

For a hotel website, a clear filename is an SEO advantage:

  • Use relevant keywords: restaurant-map-hotel-nice.pdf, luxury-hotel-rooms-guide.pdf.
  • Avoid using capital letters and spaces in filenames.
  • Specify the link format in the text: “Download the brochure (PDF)”.

5. Good hotel practices

  • Create a dedicated page for downloads (brochures, menus, guides).
  • Use stylish CTA buttons to encourage clicks (“Download the restaurant menu”).
  • Test each link on mobile: PDFs may open differently depending on the browser.

Conclusion

The numbers and letters visible in Webflow PDF links are normal and related to internal file management. However, you can easily display a clear and professional name on your website or choose to host your documents elsewhere to retain the original name. This will enhance your hotel's upscale image and build trust with guests.