The WordPress document library plugin for nonprofits, healthcare, government bodies, and businesses. Share policies, guidance, resources, and more in minutes.
Present your policies, guidance, and minutes in a clear, searchable library so visitors can quickly find accurate, up-to-date information
Make documents easy to find
Search and filter by topic, category, or date
Clear table, grid, or folder-style views
Organize large document libraries
Structured libraries for policies, guidance, and minutes
Manage documents at scale
Add documents individually, in bulk, or via controlled front-end submission
Store documents in WordPress, with optional links to external systems
Use categories, dates, and metadata to keep documents searchable over time
ORGANIZATIOn-READY CONTROLS
Password protection
Role-based access
User-specific access
Author-only access
Restrict by library / category / document
What is a WordPress document library plugin?
A WordPress document library plugin lets site owners upload, organize, and display documents on a WordPress site. Visitors can then search, filter, sort, and download them. Document Library Pro adds a searchable document table, access controls, and doubles as a document management plugin for nonprofits, healthcare providers, government bodies, and businesses sharing policies, guidance, and resources at scale. It works for any file type, including PDF, Word, audio, and video.
What Our Customers Say
Trusted by organizations that take documents seriously
Good product and service - this plugin was exactly what I needed for a document library. The plugin has great tutorials and documentation. Barn2 also provide amazing support. Highly recommended.
Renee Romero - US
We needed a compact, easy to use document library. It was worth the money. The video tutorial was very helpful in explaining how to create a WordPress document library with search and filter.
Our WordPress document library plugin includes 50+ practical features for managing, organizing, and sharing documents. Use them to build professional document libraries that match how your organization actually works.
Browse the full list of features below.
Built-in 'Documents' post type
Adds a dedicated ‘Documents’ section to the WordPress admin, separate from posts and pages. This makes it easy to manage documents and store structured information for each one. Files can still be stored in the Media Library.
Add documents manually
Adding a document is just like adding a blog post in WordPress. Simply add the information about the document, choose where it will link to (e.g. a downloadable file, or a URL from Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, SharePoint etc.), and hit 'Publish'!
Drag and drop file upload
Drag and drop multiple files into WordPress to automatically create documents in bulk.
CSV import
For importing large numbers of documents and data, prepare a CSV file and import the documents. Ideal for migrating or managing large document libraries.
Convert Media Library files
If your documents are already stored in the WordPress Media Library, then you can select and add them straight to the resource library.
Sync with Google Drive, Dropbox & more
Use Document Library Pro with automation tools like Zapier to create and sync documents automatically when files are added to Google Drive, Dropbox, and similar platforms. Read instructions →
List documents anywhere on your site
The plugin creates a main document library page for you. You can also use the [doc_library] shortcode to list documents on any page, post, content block or even in a widget. This lists all documents, or you can use shortcode options to list specific items only.
2 document library layouts
Choose between a searchable table layout or a grid layout that highlights each document.
Quick search & filter
Use the instant search box or filter dropdowns to quickly refine the WordPress document library. You can also add a document search box anywhere on your site.
Dynamic folders
Display documents in a single list or in collapsible folders based on your category structure.
Customizable information
Your document libraries can include columns for ID, title, content, excerpt, image, published date, modified date, author, categories, tags, file size, file type, status, plus a button/icon/text link to the actual document. If that’s not enough, then you can also display custom fields or taxonomies.
Create multiple document libraries
Use the shortcode options to create an unlimited number of document libraries in WordPress. Each one can have different content and settings.
3 types of document link
Your document library can include a link column with a choice of styles:
Button (with or without text and an icon)
File type icon
Plain text link
You can also change the button/link text.
Supports any file type
You can upload documents in any file type that is supported by your WordPress installation, including:
Documents - PDF, Word, Pages, Text, Rich Text
Spreadsheets - Excel, Numbers, CSV, XML
Presentations - PowerPoint, Keynote
Multimedia - Audio (e.g. MP3), Video (e.g. MP4)
Images - JPG, PNG, GIF, PSD, AI
Display & embed documents
To reduce unnecessary downloads, you can display documents directly on your site. Either enable the preview option and preview documents in a lightbox; add the document text directly; embed it using any of the WordPress embeds (e.g. YouTube or SoundCloud); or use a free Google Docs Embedder or Flipbook WordPress plugin. The latter will appear on an individual page for each document.
Websites & externally hosted files
Prefer not to store files in WordPress? No problem.
You can also link each document to any URL, such as a specific website or web page (e.g. a YouTube video), or an externally hosted file (e.g. Dropbox, Office 365, SoundCloud, etc.).
List specific documents in the resource library
List documents based on ID, category, tag, status, date (based on day, week, and/or month), custom taxonomy term, or custom field value.
Exclude documents
Hide specific documents from library pages based on ID or category.
Auto-expire documents
Automatically remove documents from the library after a set date.
AJAX-powered keyword search
Display an instant search box above each list of documents.
Pre-search the document library
Filter documents based on a specific search term when the library first loads.
Filter dropdowns
Add multiple filter dropdown lists above the document library. Choose from categories, tags, or any custom taxonomy.
Multiple sort options
Control how WordPress documents are ordered when the library first loads, and the sort direction.
Clickable column headings
Users can also click on any column header to sort the document library.
Single document pages
Optionally link to an individual page for each document. Use the built-in 1 and 2 column layouts or create your own using WordPress block patterns. You can even use different templates for different documents!
Shortcodes & HTML formatting
Choose whether the document library should render content generated by other shortcodes, such as buttons, links, or embedded media.
Document library version control
Store previous versions of each document and easily roll back.
Content length
Set the length of the document content that appears in the library.
Excerpt length
Set the length of the post excerpts in the resource library.
Create private document libraries
Either create public document libraries, or restrict access to your entire library or specific categories or documents.
4 restriction options
Restrict document access by password (no user account needed), user role, or individual user. You can also set it up so that each user can only see their own documents.
Show or hide protected documents
Choose whether to hide protected WordPress documents from public view, or make them visible but protect downloads from unauthorized users.
Require email before download
Display a customizable lead capture popup when users click a download button. Collect names and email addresses and add optional privacy consent. Send lead details to your chosen email address and connect to your email marketing platform or CRM using the built-in hooks.
Flexible styling options
The WordPress document libraries will adapt automatically to suit your theme. Fine-tune the design by selecting from our stylish pre-built templates, which you can then customize to your exact needs.
Column widths
The table column widths automatically adapt to suit your content on every device and screen size. Optionally override this to set exact column widths and priorities.
Rows per page
Control the number of documents shown on each page of the resource library.
Document limit
Set a maximum number of documents that can appear in each library. (For example, to feature a small set of documents outside your main library.).
Show, hide or position elements
Such as the search box, reset button, number of documents dropdown, totals, and pagination buttons.
4 types of pagination buttons
Choose from 4 different styles to let users navigate between pages of the WordPress document library.
Customizable ‘no documents’ messages
Change the text that appears when there are no WordPress documents in the library, either when it first loads or after the customer performs a filter.
Auto-generate featured images
When you add an image or PDF document, a featured image will automatically be generated. You can optionally display this in the document library.
Image size
Control the size of the images in the WordPress document library.
Image lightbox
Choose whether customers can click on document images to view a bigger version in a lightbox.
Audio & video
The plugin supports embedded audio files, video and media playlists. Customers can watch or listen to multimedia content directly on the main document library page, or on a separate page for each document.
Set the date format
Choose the format for any date columns.
Specify date columns
If you’re using extra columns such as custom fields to display dates, use this option to ensure that it is sorted correctly in date order.
100% responsive
The WordPress document library is fully responsive and will automatically adapt to fit different screen sizes.
Priorities option
Choose which columns are hidden first when there is limited space.
Responsive visibility
Use fine-grained control over which columns to show or hide on different devices.
Responsive control
Control the + icon which customers click to view hidden columns.
Responsive display
Choose whether to show or hide hidden columns by default, or whether to open them in a modal window.
Lazy load
For large document libraries, enabling the lazy load option improves performance by loading 1 page of WordPress documents at a time. There is no limit on the number of documents that you can include in each library.
Built-in caching
Enable the cache option to speed up load times even further.
Translation-friendly
The document library plugin is compatible with most translation plugins including WeGlot, TranslatePress and WPML - ideal for multilingual sites.
Wrap
Choose whether columns with multiple lines of text are truncated onto a single line, or wrapped onto multiple lines.
Footer visibility
Decide whether to include a footer row in the WordPress document library, repeating the column headings.
Scroll offset
If you have a sticky header, then you can change the height that the page scrolls back up to when customers navigate between pages in the document library.
Document Library Pro has been a "saving grace" as we needed to replace an abandoned WordPress document management plugin. Now we can arrange and present documents, media, and resources with ease.
Maria Talasz - US
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Best for organizations managing documents with access control, expiry, and versioning
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Searchable document libraries Display documents in a flexible table or grid
Bulk import documents Add multiple documents via drag-and-drop or CSV
Private libraries and access control Restrict access, manage versions, set expiry dates, and require email or login before download
Essentials
Best for public document libraries sharing policies, resources, and guidance
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Searchable document libraries Display documents in a flexible table or grid
Bulk import documents Add multiple documents via drag-and-drop or CSV
Private libraries and access control Restrict access, manage versions, set expiry dates, and require email or login before download
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All plans include updates and support. You can upgrade at any time and just pay the difference. If your annual license expires, the plugin will continue working on your site but you must renew to change settings or receive updates, new features or support.
Our world-class support starts here: How can we help?
How does the WordPress document library plugin work?
Document Library Pro is a plugin you can install on any WordPress website, including a nonprofit or charity site, Government or local council site, membership site, or internal portal.
It adds a 'Documents' section to the WordPress admin area. Document management is easy - you can easily add documents one at a time, or bulk-upload them via drag and drop or CSV import. You can also convert files which are already in the Media Library into documents. Alternatively, people without access to the WordPress admin can submit documents using the front end upload form.
Documents can be stored in the WordPress Media Library or linked from services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, or YouTube. Either add these using any of the above methods or for a more advanced solution, do it automatically with a platform like Zapier.
Once you have added your documents, the WordPress document library plugin displays them as a professional-looking library on the front end of your website. The main document library page is created automatically, and you can list specific documents elsewhere using a simple shortcode. You can choose between a searchable, filterable table layout; or a searchable grid layout that showcases each document individually.
Our WordPress document library plugin comes in two plans to suit different types of websites:
Essentials – Best for nonprofits and small organizations that want a public library of resources, policies, or publications.
Advanced – Designed for healthcare, councils, and membership organizations that need access control, document or file versioning, expiry dates, or lead capture prior to download.
If you need to purchase via a formal procurement process such as a purchase order or supplier onboarding then we also offer a Corporate License.
Do you offer a nonprofit or charity discount?
Yes! We offer a 15% nonprofit discount on Document Library Pro.
Document Library Pro is hugely popular among nonprofits and charities, and it's easy to see why. Whether you need to share policy documents, grant forms, resources for beneficiaries, or annual reports, it gives you a clean, searchable document library that anyone can use without training. The charity discount makes it even more accessible for organizations where every dollar counts.
If your organization is a registered nonprofit or charity, you can apply for a discount code before purchasing - just fill in a short form and we'll get back to you with a code.
What information can I show in the document library?
Document Library Pro is better than a WordPress Media Library plugin because it lets you store extra information about each document. This gives you complete flexibility.
You can include any or all of the following fields in your document libraries:
Document title
Featured image
Excerpt/summary
Description (which you can use to add a summary, the full content of the document, or even embed content such as a video player, audio player, or content added using other plugins such as Google Drive embedded or flipbook app)
Date (both the published and the modified date)
Author
Document categories
Document tags
Document count (generated automatically)
File size (generated automatically)
File type (generated automatically)
Filename (generated automatically)
A link to the downloadable document, or any URL if the document is stored externally
And if that's not enough, you can add extra fields too! Document Library Pro has a feature to add your own custom fields, and you can add more advanced fields and taxonomies with our free Easy Post Types and Fields plugin.
Once you have added the data, you can choose which information to include about your WordPress documents.
What file types can I display in the library?
The download buttons and links in Document Library Pro support absolutely any file type. This includes PDF, audio, video, Word documents, spreadsheets, ebooks, and much more.
When storing documents in the Media Library, you can use any file type which your WordPress installation allows. When storing documents externally - for example, on Dropbox or Share Point - then you can link to any file type, with no limitations.
While you can use any file type, PDF is the most commonly used file type by Document Library Pro fans. We even have a full tutorial on how to create a WordPress PDF library.
The document previews only work with certain file types. If you enable the preview option, then this will not appear for unsupported file types so we recommend that you include download buttons instead. (You can rename these to anything you like.)
If you want to display a file type which is not supported by your WordPress installation then you could ask your host to allow this file type. If that isn't possible then you could host the files elsewhere (e.g. on Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive) and use the third party URL option in Document Library Pro. You can still list them in the document library with download buttons, but the actual documents would be hosted outside of WordPress.
Does it support audio and video?
Yes, you can display embedded audio and video files on the document library page, in the popup preview window, and also on the individual page for each document. Either store your audio and video directly in the WordPress Media Library, or on a third party platform such as YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud.
Can I store my documents away from my WordPress website?
Yes - there are two ways to store the documents which you are displaying in the library:
In the WordPress Media Library.
On any third party platform (e.g. Dropbox, Amazon S3, AWS, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
To create third party documents, simply select the 'File URL' option and enter the URL of wherever the document is stored. The download buttons in the library will link to this URL.
It's also possible to sync Document Library Pro with a third party platform automatically via automation platforms like Zapier. We've provided instructions to help you with this.
Can I control who can access, view, or download documents?
Yes. You can control document visibility, user access, and whether files are viewed online or downloaded.
Access and visibility controls
Restrict your entire library, specific categories, or individual documents.
Give access to specific users, roles, or password holders.
Show users only the documents they created, ideal for client portals.
Choose whether restricted documents appear to public visitors.
Enable document previews in a lightbox without direct file access.
Display documents on their own pages using embedded viewers or flipbook tools.
Can I collect email addresses before users download documents?
Yes. Document Library Pro includes a built-in lead capture popup which appears when someone clicks a download button. You can require users to enter their details before accessing the file, customize the form text, add an optional privacy consent checkbox, and choose whether logged-in users should bypass the form.
The WordPress document library plugin makes it quick and easy for people to find specific documents:
Keyword search - Display an AJAX-powered keyword search above the library. For more advanced search capabilities, such as searching the contents of documents, you can use Document Library Pro with SearchWP.
Standalone document search - Use a widget to insert a document library search box anywhere on your WordPress site.
Filter dropdowns - Display filter dropdowns above the WordPress document library. Add filters for document categories, tags, authors, or any custom taxonomy.
Sortable columns - Each column in the document library table is sortable. You can choose the initial sort order, and allow users to re-order the list as needed.
How do the document links work?
Document Library Pro gives you lots of control over how the links to your documents work. You can:
Add a download and/or preview button for each document.
Customize the button text and choose from a wide range of button styles and icons.
Enable or disable the links to the separate page for each document.
Choose whether links to documents are opened in a new tab.
How many document libraries can I have?
You can add as many document libraries as you like. To create multiple document libraries, simply structure your resources into categories and list them on different parts of your site.
It's completely flexible and you have full control over which documents to list where. For example, you can:
Generate one big list of all your documents, with search box and filter dropdowns above.
Create a one-page document library structured into categories, with unlimited levels of nested folders.
List documents in different parts of your website based on their category, tag, status, date, and more.
Each WordPress document library can list an unlimited number of documents.
How do I manage document versions and updates?
Document Library Pro's Advanced plan includes built-in version control, along with document visibility and access controls, so you can manage updates without confusion or broken links.
You can keep documents up to date in several ways:
Version control
Replace a document’s file while keeping the same document entry and URL, so users automatically access the latest version.
Choose to keep previous versions in the Media Library, where you can review, label, delete, or restore them in the admin area.
Alternatively, set old versions to be deleted automatically when a file is replaced, ensuring only the latest version exists.
Visibility and access management
Hide or remove outdated documents by changing their visibility, categories, or access restrictions.
Restrict who can view or manage documents, reducing the risk of old versions being published or left accessible.
Version details are managed in the WordPress admin only and are not shown to visitors, so your document library always presents the correct, current file while you retain control behind the scenes.
Can I track the number of document downloads?
Absolutely. Our WordPress document management plugin tracks the number of times that each document has been downloaded or accessed. This analytics information appears in the WordPress admin. You can choose whether to display it on the front end of your website.
For more advanced document library analytics, you can use the plugin with Google Analytics. We have provided guidance on how to do this in our knowledge base article.
Will it work with my theme and other plugins?
Document Library Pro is designed to work with any WordPress theme and a wide range of other plugins.
By default, the document library uses styling from your theme such as the font size and color. There are built-in design templates for you to choose from, plus customization options which you can use to personalize the library to your heart's content. If you notice any styling or compatibility issues, our support team will be happy to help.
Does the document library plugin work in my language?
Document Library Pro is designed to work with any WordPress translation plugin such as WPML, WeGlot and TranslatePress. This makes it easy for you to translate the document library into any language and use it on multilingual websites.
What are the minimum requirements for running the plugin?
Document Library Pro is fully tested with the latest versions of WordPress and WooCommerce. We always recommend running the most up-to-date version, but we also support older installations:
A little over a month ago I purchased this excellent Plugin. We are very pleased with the ease in which we can now upload PDF files back onto our website. We use the plug-in to manage a WWI and WWII Australian Army Veterans Website. Previously we used Memphis Docs and unfortunately lost 6500 files. However, we are now nearly half the way there. The results are a 100% improvement on Memphis Docs. What is impressive is the way we can conduct searches on individual soldier's names, rank and Army numbers or what unit they served. Very fast.
The only limitation is that when a file requires updating the process is time consuming.
Chelsea Krogh
Perfect for Plugin for Simple Client-Facing "DAM"
Rated 5 stars
By Chelsea Krogh on
I use this plugin primarily for a client-facing library of stock creatives available for download and easy sharing. This plugin vastly simplifies the client search process, allowing them to weed through thousands of assets, filtering based on keywords, tags, design style, media type, etc. On the backend, upload and asset exposure is simple and straight-forward, all for a fraction of the price of a DAM's public directory. Barn2's Document Library Pro has been a gamechanger for us, allowing us to offer grab-and-go assets to our clients at scale.
The tech support team has also been of great help when we've run into bugs.
All in all, I would recommend this plugin.
Beth Hobbs
A Game-Changer for Knowledgebase Document Management
Rated 5 stars
By Beth Hobbs on
I couldn’t be happier with Document Library Pro! After discovering it through ChatGPT—when I asked for a solution to house our forms and documents within our Echo Knowledgebase WordPress setup—I was impressed by how seamlessly it fit our needs.
Why I Chose Document Library Pro
Custom Fields & Metadata: Being able to add detailed instructions and categorize documents with custom fields has made navigation intuitive for our team.
Preview Before Download: The built-in preview feature saves users from unnecessary downloads and streamlines their workflow.
Dedicated Landing Pages: Each document links to a clean landing page, giving me space to include directions, compliance notes, or other critical information.
Use Case & Time Savings
We use Document Library Pro to power our internal credit union knowledgebase, and it has been a game-changer. Instead of creating dozens of individual pages, I simply drag and drop PDFs into Document Library Pro and embed them via shortcode. For example, our “Account Opening” page now dynamically displays only those forms related to opening an account—complete with easy filtering and clear instructions—making it a breeze for both staff and members to find exactly what they need.
Worth Every Penny
I’ll admit the Pro version’s price gave me pause at first, but the time and frustration it’s saved me have been invaluable. Between streamlined document management and a polished user experience, Document Library Pro has paid for itself many times over.
If you need a powerful, flexible, and user-friendly way to manage documents on WordPress—especially within a complex knowledgebase—look no further than Document Library Pro!
Pierre Gergi
Highly appreciated and definitely recommended!
Rated 5 stars
By Pierre Gergi on
I’ve been using Document Library Pro for over three years now, and I can confidently say it was one of the best choices I made for managing documents and data on my site. The plugin is stable, easy to use, and fits perfectly with my workflow.
The support team has been excellent overall — even though responses can sometimes take a bit of time, I completely understand that given the demand they handle. What matters to me is that when they do respond, they take the time to address the issue properly and thoroughly.
Highly appreciated and definitely recommended!
Boris Hoekmeijer
Excellent plugin with matching support
Rated 5 stars
By Boris Hoekmeijer on
Switched to Document Library Pro from a different plugin with folder structure setup about a year ago.
Very happy I made the switch! The plugin works very well and is a lot easier to work with than the old one.
I haven't had much need for support, but when I did, I was very pleased with the level of persistence. They continued searching and troubleshooting until the problem was resolved.
Highly recommended!
Catalina Valdez García
Great support
Rated 5 stars
By Catalina Valdez García on
I needed some small tweaks to customize the grid layout and the support team was very helpful.
Sofus Wilms
Extensive support and troubleshooting
Rated 5 stars
By Sofus Wilms on
I have been in dialogue with Barn2 support several times regarding the Document Library Pro plugin.
First, they helped us configure the plugin exactly the way we wanted it to work.
Later, we experienced the plugin stopped working, due to update of other plugins. They we're conflicting.
Carl D helped us troubleshooting this issue, and found the cause of the issue as well as the solution.
Considering that these issue was caused by another 3rd party plugin, totally unrelated to Document Library Pro, Barn2 had no obligations to help us out. But they did! And spent a lot of time doing so.
So we are very grateful for the level of support, and especially by Carl D.
I can definetely recommend their plugins and services!
Regards
Sofus
William Maas
A fantastic plugin
Rated 5 stars
By William Maas on
Great Plugin and great support! Thanks Barn2, I installed Document Library Pro in a client website and they are very satisfied with the results.
Lynn Ray Stanphill
Solid Plugin - Document Library Pro
Rated 5 stars
By Lynn Ray Stanphill on
Plugin works well. Installed for a client and he is very satisfied with how it works.
Jeff Schlueter
Easy to Set Up and Deploy
Rated 5 stars
By Jeff Schlueter on
I needed a way to easily add and display documents on our website to comply with some HOA laws here in Florida. Barn2 was just the ticket. With only basic WordPress skills I was able to download and deploy the plug-in and it fit right into our website. It works great!
Document Library Pro plugin by Barn2.
By Peter Dowling on
A little over a month ago I purchased this excellent Plugin. We are very pleased with the ease in which we can now upload PDF files back onto our website. We use the plug-in to manage a WWI and WWII Australian Army Veterans Website. Previously we used Memphis Docs and unfortunately lost 6500 files. However, we are now nearly half the way there. The results are a 100% improvement on Memphis Docs. What is impressive is the way we can conduct searches on individual soldier's names, rank and Army numbers or what unit they served. Very fast.
The only limitation is that when a file requires updating the process is time consuming.