Title: Adding a code to uploaded pdf documents
Last modified: February 26, 2018

---

# Adding a code to uploaded pdf documents

 *  [layale](https://wordpress.org/support/users/layale/)
 * (@layale)
 * [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/adding-a-code-to-uploaded-pdf-documents/)
 * Hello,
 * I would like to ask about a plugin that allows me to upload tests results to 
   wordpress as PDF files and add a code for every test. So every user having the
   code can only download the test result.
 * How can I do this? I read about the Simple Download Manager and the Password 
   Protect thing, but this will create a page for every download while I need to
   have one page where the user can enter the code and the corresponding pdf (linked
   to this code) is downloaded.
 * I hope I made myself clear.
    Thank you so much! Best Regards, Layale.
    -  This topic was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by [layale](https://wordpress.org/support/users/layale/).

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/adding-a-code-to-uploaded-pdf-documents/#post-10021801)
 * There are a slew of download managers available. If none of them work the way
   you want, it shouldn’t take too much custom work to alter one of them to work
   for you. For example, one of those download pages for a specific download could
   be altered into a template that dynamically generates a page based on the file
   to be downloaded.
 * Or perhaps instead of retrieving a specific file, some script takes the password
   and enters a lookup table to determine what file to retrieve. For that matter,
   it wouldn’t take much coding to make a page template that does this. Once the
   source file is determined, the download response is started with something like
 *     ```
       header("Content-Type: application/octet-stream");
       header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=\"{$yourfilename}\"");
       readfile($full-path-to-your-file.$filename);
       ```
   
 * The header calls must be nearly the first thing on the page template, before 
   any output.
 * I realize you are looking for a plugin solution and are not wishing to get into
   custom code, but when you have very specific need, custom code is often the right
   solution. When you do not need anything fancy, hiring someone to knock out some
   custom code needn’t be too expensive.
 *  Thread Starter [layale](https://wordpress.org/support/users/layale/)
 * (@layale)
 * [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/adding-a-code-to-uploaded-pdf-documents/#post-10024436)
 * Hello,
 * Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it. Well I am a developer but
   new to wordpress and php. I am using an online version of wordpress from the 
   hosting company. So I don’t understand well what you are proposing. If there 
   is any link or tutorial that will put me on track I will highly appreciate it.
   I am ready to learn and do the custom code but I dont know from where to start.
   I am also ready to pay for a plug in if it can do the work. The problem is that
   I want it to be easy for an employee who will be uploading the pdfs and give 
   a code for every file. Usually this guy won’t be IT and will not be able to go
   through creating a page and adding security… Any more hints that will put me 
   on the right track?
 * Thank you again,
    Regards.
 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/adding-a-code-to-uploaded-pdf-documents/#post-10025518)
 * Well, welcome to the WordPress community then!
 * The online version provided by your host isn’t much different than the downloaded
   version. Your host is simply making the installation a one click affair. The 
   downloaded version is nearly a one click affair as well, the main difference 
   is you need to upload the files to your server. Hosts will often make some modifications
   to their one-click version in an effort to make things easier for themselves.
   On occasion that can cause problems, but usually it’s fine. Either way, you are
   typically still fully responsible for the installation on your server space. 
   The amount of support from hosts is variable, trending towards none.
 * Some very general resources you’ll find useful sooner or later:
    [The Codex](https://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page)
   [WP Developer Resources](https://developer.wordpress.org/) [PHP Reference](http://php.net/manual/en/langref.php)
 * You will likely be needing at least one [custom page template](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/template-files-section/page-template-files/#creating-custom-page-templates-for-global-use).
   These belong in a [child theme](https://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes). You
   do not want to modify your primary theme’s files because your changes will be
   lost when the theme is updated. In fact, the first rule in WP is never modify
   anything subject to updates: WP core, themes, plugins. Create your own theme,
   child theme, or plugin to contain your custom work.
 * If you do find the need to hire knowledgeable help, please do not solicit paid
   help here in the forums. It’s against our guidelines and will cause your inquiry
   to be closed. Unfortunately, we’ve had…uh… let’s say unsavory characters trolling
   for work here. Never accept any offers for paid help here. If you need assistance
   finding knowledgeable help, try jobs.wordpress.net or jetpack.pro .
 * Plugins can be a good resource if you get stuck on how something is accomplished.
   You don’t have to use the plugin, rather examine its source code to see how others
   have done a similar task. The beauty of open source! If you do use any code verbatim,
   be sure to credit the source.
 * A good part of modifying how WP works is through [filter and action hooks](https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/hooks/).
   Study how these work until you fully understand what’s going on. It’ll be worth
   the effort.
 * Most importantly IMO, enjoy the process. If you don’t get some enjoyment out 
   of coding, you are better off hiring someone. Life’s too short 🙂

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘Adding a code to uploaded pdf documents’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Developing with WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/wp-advanced/)
 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * Last activity: [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/adding-a-code-to-uploaded-pdf-documents/#post-10025518)
 * Status: not resolved

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