Frequently asked questions Free & Pro

Quick answers to the questions we hear most, before and after purchase. Each answer links to a fuller article where one exists. If your question is not here, email [email protected].

Is there a free version, and what is in it?

Yes — FileDeck is free on wordpress.org (slug filedeck). The free version includes the Documents post type, three layouts (table, grid, folders), instant search, sortable columns, category and tag filters, the Gutenberg block and shortcode, pagination, display settings such as the accent color and columns, and download counting. See free vs Pro for the full breakdown.

Does it work with my theme?

Yes. FileDeck works with any theme, is server-rendered, and uses no jQuery. If the library ever looks off in a particular theme, small CSS overrides fix it — see library looks wrong or unstyled.

Can visitors search inside file contents?

Yes. FileDeck indexes the text inside PDFs, Office documents, and text files on your own server — manage the index under Documents → Settings → Search Index. Scanned PDFs with no text layer can be OCR’d with the Pro OCR service, and optional AI semantic search finds documents by meaning. See content search.

How many documents can it handle?

There is no hard limit. Libraries up to about 500 documents get an inlined instant-search index; for larger collections, split them into category-scoped libraries to keep instant search (or use Pro full-text search). A single library renders all its documents into the page, so the practical ceiling is your hosting and page weight. See large libraries and performance.

Can I show different libraries on different pages?

Yes. Both the block and the shortcode accept category scoping, so each page can show its own slice of the library — for example [filedeck category="hr-policies"] on one page and a different category on another. See the shortcode reference.

Can I sell documents?

FileDeck is not a store — there is no cart or payment processing. It does support lead capture (require name and email before download) and access control (restrict by password, role, or user), which cover gated-content workflows, just not paid checkout.

Do protected files really block direct URLs?

Yes, in Pro. Protected files are moved out of the public uploads area into wp-content/uploads/filedeck-protected/, which is blocked from direct access, and downloads are served only through signed URLs that expire after 15 minutes. Direct file URLs never work for protected documents. See file protection and signed URLs.

What happens if my Pro license expires?

The plugin keeps working — your libraries, settings, and Pro features stay in place. What stops is updates and support until you renew. Renewals never increase in price. See licensing and activation.

Can I import from another plugin or a spreadsheet?

Yes. Spreadsheets import via CSV import under Documents → Bulk add / export, and a CSV export from another document library plugin imports through Documents → Migrate, which maps its columns to FileDeck. Pro can also bulk-convert existing Media Library files into documents, and export your library back out as CSV.

Does it work with Elementor and other page builders?

Yes. The [filedeck] shortcode works anywhere shortcodes work, including Elementor and other page builders. In the block editor, use the FileDeck Library block for a live preview and visual controls.

Where are my files stored?

On your own site — in your WordPress Media Library and server (protected files move to a protected folder on the same server). Nothing is uploaded to or stored on FileDeck’s servers, and nothing leaves your site.

Can I link files from Google Drive?

Yes, in Pro. A document can point at an external URL instead of an uploaded file — Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, SharePoint, Amazon S3, or any URL. These are links, not sync. See external files.

Is it GDPR-friendly?

FileDeck is built to keep data on your site: files and document data stay on your server, and the Pro activity log can anonymize IP addresses, purge old rows daily, and integrates with WordPress core privacy export and erase tools. If you use lead capture, disclose it in your privacy policy as you would any form that collects names and emails.

Can visitors preview a file without downloading it?

Yes, in Pro. The inline preview lightbox shows PDFs, Office documents, images, audio, and video — no download required.

How do I get support?

Pro customers get priority email support at [email protected]. Free users are supported through the wordpress.org forum for the filedeck plugin. Billing and refund questions (30-day money-back guarantee) are covered in billing, refunds, and support.