Add downloadable docs and control who can see them
To offer files such as manuals and spec sheets for download, add each one as its own entry with a title and description, then choose who can get it: anyone, or only selected users once they log in.
The steps below use the Dirigible Documentation plugin. Each entry is a Doc: a downloadable file such as a manual, spec sheet, or guide, with optional video and notes. Every Doc is either Public or limited to Selected users. To set up the page where visitors browse docs, see Set up a documentation hub with lead gating.
Add a Doc
- Go to Documentation → Add Doc.
- Enter a title.
- Upload the File visitors will download.
- Add a YouTube Video, Excerpt, and Body if you want.
- Assign Doc Types, Doc Products, and Doc Brands so visitors can filter in the Documentation Explorer.
- Under Access, leave Public (the default) or choose Selected users.
- If you chose Selected users, pick the Allowed Users.
- Publish.
Should a doc be Public or Selected users?
| Access | Who can see it | Lead form |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Anyone | Shown when Enable Gating is on |
| Selected users | Only the allowed users, once logged in | Never shown |
The lead form is for collecting contact details, not for keeping files private. For files meant only for customers or members, use Selected users.
A Selected users doc's file moves out of the public media folder into private storage, usually within a few minutes of saving. After that it only downloads from the doc, for people allowed to see it, and old links to the file send people to the doc page. Until the move finishes, the editor shows a warning; share the doc page rather than the file link. More in Member access.
Tips
- Give each Doc a clear title. Visitors see the title more than the file name.
- After publishing Public docs, check the hub page with gating both on and off.
- For the hub page's own search title and description, see Edit the SEO title and meta description for a page.