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Understand PDF preview labels on documents

Learn how to recognise when you are viewing a generated PDF preview of a non‑PDF document and how this affects downloading the original file.

Audience

This guide is designed for project manager.

Steps​

Step 1: Identify the PDF preview chip on a document​

When you open a document that is not a native PDF, look for a rounded gold label near the document preview showing "PDF preview" followed by the original file type, such as "Word document" or "Excel document".

Identify the PDF preview chip on a document

Step 2: Check what type of original file you are viewing​

Read the text in the PDF preview chip to confirm whether the current PDF is a snapshot of a Word document, an Excel document, or another type of source file.

Check what type of original file you are viewing

Step 3: Hover to see more detail about the preview​

Move your mouse over the PDF preview chip to see a tooltip explaining that you are looking at a PDF snapshot of the original document and that you can download the file to open it in its native format.

Hover to see more detail about the preview

Step 4: Decide whether to download the original file​

Use the information in the PDF preview chip and tooltip to decide if you only need to review the PDF snapshot or if you should download the original Word, Excel or other document for editing or deeper analysis.

Decide whether to download the original file

Last updated: 2026-06-27