Before you dig in
To get the most recent information, please use the search field above.
I didn't get my signup email?
Check your spam folder. Not there? Add no-reply@issuumail.com to your trusted contacts and sign up again. If you want the same username, ask us to reset it.
I forgot my username or password?
Go get it here.
Can I have links in my publications?
Currently links are preserved in our Paper viewer (click View mode / Paper). We will soon have links ready in our two other view modes, Magazine and Presentation.
Can I upload Private documents?
We have a Secret mode, where only you know the URL. Select it when uploading
Can I remove the sidebar in the standalone viewer?
Sure. It's part of Issuu Pro, so have a look at that.
Can I really use Issuu for my business/project/NGO etc. for free?
Yes! Issuu is free of charge and without any upload/hosting limits whatsoever. If you want an even more professional version of Issuu, have a look at Issuu Pro.
Can I disable print?
Not at the moment, but don't worry: Only two pages can be printed at the time, which is equivalent to a screenshot/print screen. You can also choose to upload as Secret and then embed your publication with a customized standalone viewer on your website. To customize our viewer, please refer to Issuu Platform.
I can't upload my documents?
Make sure your Internet connection is functional and that you are not behind a firewall or similar obstructions (common with office networks). If it still doesn't work, try Simple Upload instead (find the link for it below the blue 'Upload file' button here).
I can't find my document while searching on Issuu or Google?
It usually takes a short while before your content is indexed, so please be patient. Note: Secret publications are not indexed.
Issuu looks... weird?
You probably need to install Flash player. Get the latest version here.
I can't find out how to change my username?
Sorry, this is not possible. You will have to create a new account. If you want to use the same email address to sign up, you will have to delete the old account first.
What is Issuu?
Please refer to this page.
How do you pronounce Issuu?
Just like the English 'issue'.
What does Issuu mean?
Issuu can be used both as a noun and as a verb. It means something interesting that is published and put into circulation.
Is Issuu a finished product?
We consider Issuu a 'constant beta', which means we will continue to add more interesting features and functionality to Issuu. So please stick around as the fun increases.
What's the difference between Issuu and Issuu Pro?
Both versions have the same features, but Issuu Pro is without Issuu branding and ads, meaning that the sidebar in our standalone viewer is disabled.
Is Issuu really a trademark?
Yes.
How do I publish something?
Simply log in and click the blue Upload button (top-right). If you're not an Issuu member yet, you can still click the button to upload and sign up at the same time.
What file formats can I upload?
We support formats with the extension PDF, DOC, PPT, ODT, WPD, SXW, RTF, ODP, and SXI.
How many documents can I upload?
As many as you like, as long as you own the copyright or have proper permission.
How long will my documents be online?
Until you choose to delete them.
Will my documents be indexed by Google and other search engines?
Yes. And since Issuu has a high Google rank, you will get even better exposure. It usually takes a short while before search engines are updated, so please be patient.
Can I upload multiple files?
Yes. Click Upload and select the tab 'Upload many files'. Click Browse and select as many files you like.
Can I import files from the web?
Yes. Click Upload and select 'Upload from URL'. This feature is also available when uploading multiple files. Note: Only import documents you own the copyright to, or have proper permission to publish on Issuu.
How do I replace the documents on my webpage with Issuu?
We have a really neat feature called Smart Look. Copy/paste a small snippet of code to your webpages, and all your downloadable documents will automatically be converted to Issuu publications once they are clicked.
Can I upload something as private?
We have a status called Secret which will prevent your publications from being listed on Issuu and search engines. Only you know the URL, but it is still accessible. If you post/embed the document URL on a public web page, search engines will be able to find and index it. We will soon support completely private documents.
What does the Child-safe option do?
It protects Issuu members from content they do not want to see. If your publication has violence, pornography or other explicit content, choose No (not child-safe) to protect children and anyone else who have enabled their Explicit filter.
How do I manage all my uploaded files?
Open My Library to organize and manage all your publications. See below for instructions on how to use it.
How do I use the Issuu viewer?
Click the edges of pages to go forward and backwards. Click the Index to get an overview. Click on the page to zoom.
What are the three different view modes for?
Each view mode is for particular types of publications. Magazine mode is for catalogs and magazines. Presentation mode is for photos and presentations. Paper mode is for text documents, reports and academic papers.
What happens when I bookmark?
Click the star to bookmark the current page, or click 'Add to' to save it in a specific folder (to create a new folder, simply type it in). All your bookmarks will be saved in My Library.
Can I use keyboard navigation in the viewer?
Yes. For the Magazine and Presentation mode you can use these shortcuts:
Can I change the zoom mode?
In Magazine and Presentation mode we have three different zoom modes, that can be changed by selecting a different icon in the zoom mode: Text mode is for reading text. View mode is for magazines and pictures. Hand mode is the classic click-and-drag mode. Issuu members can go to Account Settings and choose their default zoom mode once and for all.
Can I change the zoom level?
Yes. Simply adjust the zoom lever once you have zoomed in. Issuu members can go to Account Settings and choose their default zoom level.
Can I make the viewer 'go backwards'?
No, not at the moment. You can however link to the last page (see below). This way, readers will be paging in the opposite direction.
Can I link to a specific page?
Yes. To link to page X, simply add /X to the end of the URL. Example: www.issuu.com/user/docs/publication/X. To do the same in the standalone viewer, you must add &pageNumber=X to the end of the URL.
Can I link directly to a specific view mode?
Yes, you simply add the following extensions to the end of your publication's URL:
[Presentation mode] &viewMode=presentation
[Paper mode] &mode=a_p
The Magazine mode is default, so there's no need to enter anything specific for that.
Can I add/remove buttons from the viewer?
You can deselect some features when you upload documents. If you want to do more than this, have a look at Issuu Platform about customizing the viewer.
How do I share Issuu with email?
Simply click Share, enter a message/note and select whom to email it to. Make sure to import your contacts to Issuu to make this easier. This is done i My Home / Edit friends.
How do I share on Facebook?
Issuu has two Facebook apps to help you get exposure on Facebook. Click Embed/Facebook to share on a Profile. To share on a Facebook Page, add our Publisher application (you will need to log in to it and choose which of your publications to share).
How do I share Issuu on other social media sites, such as Digg, Delicious and StumbleUpon?
Simply click Share and click the icon of the service you wish to share on. The more sites you submit your publications to the more exposure you will get.
How do I share on my blog and website?
We have abunch of really neat embedding features. See below.
How can I embed an Issuu publication?
You can embed Issuu almost anywhere. Simply click Embed, choose your preferred colors, select which site to embed on, get the code and paste it. This will create a mini preview Issuu.
Can I embed Issuu in full size?
Yes. All Issuu publications has a full featured standalone viewer that can be integrated in any HTML page. First you get the link for the standalone viewer by clicking Embed in the viewer (In My Library select it and click More / Customize and Embed). Next, embed it in an iframe with simple code like this:
<iframe src="[Issuu standalone URL]"
width="800" height="600"></iframe>
Now, save the page and publish it. Here's an example of what it can look like. Note that you can add an extension to the end of the standalone URL to open the embedded viewer in a specific view mode (learn more).
Can I customize the standalone viewer?
Yes. Just about anything can be customized. You need to create a custom theme, put it on your private server and refer to it in the end of the standalone URL. All the documentation for doing this can be found on Issuu Platform.
Can I remove the sidebar in the standalone viewer?
Yes. It's one of the offerings of Issuu Pro, so please have a look at that.
What can I do with My Library?
My Library is the equivalent to your computer's file manager. It's where you organize and manage your publications and bookmarks. Select a publication and choose what to do with it by clicking one of the features in the main menu.
What does the Inbox do?
Whenever someone shares a publication with you, it will appear as a bookmark in your Inbox. From here you can move it to a folder if you like. Shared publications will be listed by the person who shared them with you.
How do I use bookmarks?
When you see a great publication on Issuu, you can bookmark it. When someone shares a document with you, it'll also show up as a bookmark. You can create folders to organize your bookmarks.
How do I use Shelves?
A shelf is a public folder you can share. Your Profile Shelf will be shown on your personal profile, so make sure to put some good stuff in it. If you haven't anything to upload yourself, surf around and bookmark something to put in your Profile Shelf. You add publications by dragging them to your shelf.
Can I change the order of the publications in my Profile Shelf?
Yes, simply drag (click and hold) a publication up or down the list. Or you can use the up/down arrows.
I have hundreds of publications/bookmarks and can't find what I need?
Click the tag cloud icon in the top-right. It will show the most relevant keywords to help you drill down and find what you are looking for.
Will the publication be removed if I delete its bookmark?
No, you will only delete the bookmark. To delete a publication you must select it in the My Documents folder and delete it from there. You cannot delete other people's publications.
I can't see statistics for a bookmark?
You cannot view the performance statistics for other people's publications. For more info about statistics, please see below.
Why can't I change my publication's status to Secret?
Once you made a publication Public it's been indexed by Issuu and search engines, and the URL has been exposed.
Can I make my publications completely private?
Not yet, but we're working on it.
Why does my file have a Warning label?
If something went wrong while converting the document, it will show a warning label. Click it to see what to do about it. If you use bulk upload or Smart Look, your documents will also be labeled with a warning, because you need to enter more details about documents.
Where do I find the statistics for my publications?
Go to My Library, select a publication and click 'Statistics'.
What can I do with the Statistics application?
You can view the traffic and performance statistics for a selected publication. Here's an explanation of the data we currently provide:
How do you define a Publication view?
A Publication view is when someone opens your publication, no matter where it is: On Issuu, on your website/blog, etc.
How do you define a Page view?
When someone opens your publication and loads a page from our server, that will count +1. Note that page views will be affected when a browser cashes your pages: Cashing means the page will not be loaded again the second time it's viewed, and will thus not count +1. Also note that Issuu preloads a few pages in advance when a reader starts viewing your publication, which will increase your page view count.
What do you mean by Issuu Publication Views?
These are the publication views that were generated by Issuu's community platform. They will always be a certain percentage of the total Publication views. To get the highest number here, make sure your publication is Public.
I want to know how many viewed, rated, commented, or subscribed to me?
Simply open your profile and look at the stats there.
Can I export my statistics to other services, such as Google Analytics?
No, not at the moment.
How do I use my Profile?
Your profile is your digital 'newsstand' showing visitors your publications and information about who you are. Edit your profile by clicking Edit next to the area you want to change.
What are Sections?
A section lists a particular type of content. Select 'Add section' to see the different types of sections you can choose from. You can choose to remove any section at any time, by selecting 'Delete'.
How do I create my own sections?
Select Add section. Choose Custom from the drop-down menu, and add up to 6 different filters (add or remove a field by pressing + or - ). For example: Submitting 'User: Keyser' and 'Free text: design' will list all documents from user Keyser that are about design. Whenever Keyser uploads a new document about design, it will now show up in your custom section. Finally, you can also choose a name for your custom section, as well as how many documents to list and how to sort them.
Can I change the order of my sections?
Yes, grab the title of any section (left-click and hold) and drop it to where you want it.
How do I become friends with someone?
You need to add friends by entering their email in your address book. When you sign up, you'll be asked to import your contacts from your webmail account. You can do this at any time by going to My Home / Edit friends
What is Footprints?
When you visit a profile, you leave your profile image under 'Recent Visitors'. You can disable this feature in Account Settings, but we advice against it, as it means less traffic to your profile, and you won't be able to see who is looking at your profile.
What is Explicit Filter?
The explicit filter protects you from adult content. The filter is active by default, click 'no' if you want to disable it and see adult content. Other members can't see if your filter is on or off. (Note: you must be minimum 18 years old to disable this filter.)
How do I change my email?
Go to you Account Settings and click Change email.
How do I change my password?
Go to you Account Settings and click Change password.
How do I change my username?
Sorry, that's currently not possible.
How do I get listed on the Featured page?
That page is exclusively selected by our editors. To get noticed you need to upload something original and start networking on Issuu to climb our People and Publication lists.
How do I climb the various Publications lists?
Apart from uploading original content, you need to promote it. Click Share to email your publication to friends (make sure to import your email contacts to Issuu). Make sure they all rate, comment and bookmark your stuff, as it gives you a competitive edge on Issuu.
An even more effective way of getting exposure is posting your publications on social networks and link sharing services such as Facebook, MySpace, Digg, StumbleUpon, Mixx etc. Click Share and select the relevant service from the list in the bottom.
How do I climb the various People lists?
The short answer is: Use Issuu! Everything you do will be taken in to account, and before you know it you will be listed on the active list.
Can I subscribe to someone (Follow)?
Yes, simply click Follow on that person's profile. Once you've subscribed to someone their publications and bookmarks will show up in your Sections.
Can I subscribe with RSS?
Yes. Every member has a unique feed on their profile. Click it to add it to your feed reader. Also, each of your library folders has their unique feeds you can subscribe to.
I can't find my publication or profile by searching?
Issuu will need up to 24 hours for the search engine to index your document and profile. It usually happens faster than that, depending on the general load. Note that you cannot search for your Secret publications.
Will my publications be indexed by Google and other search engines?
Yes, unless you upload them as Secret. And since Issuu has a high Google rank, you will get even better exposure. It usually takes a short while before search engines are updated, so please be patient.
How do I use the search tag cloud?
Whenever you do a search, a tag cloud will be shown. The colors of the various keywords indicate how relevant they are to your search. Select/deselect tags to focus your search. Example: If you search for 'Danish' the search engine does not know if you mean the language or the pastry. Click the relevant keyword and your search will be updated. You can also exclude a keyword by selecting the minus symbol on a tag.
What's the Search Remix used for?
The Search Remix is a full page view of your search results. It's a custom generated magazine with the pages found in your search, and a wonderful way of exploring publications related to your favorite topic. Note that none of the original magazines are 'destroyed' and that you can easily go to the original publication. You can refine your Search Remix with the blue tag cloud above it.
Is a Search Remix magazine static?
No. Every time the search engine updates it's index, you may get different pages in your Search Remix, based on what is the most relevant for your search.
Can I save or share a Search Remix?
Currently you will need to copy the URL to share it with your friends this way.
Can I use specific query terms for advanced search?
Yes, by using specific query terms. They include 'tag' (search for a specific tag) and 'user' (search for content submitted by a particular user). You use these terms by entering them in the search field like this: 'tag:art' (searches for documents with the tag 'art'). You can also use multiple terms separated by space, like this: 'tag:design user:manray' (searches for all documents by user ManRay with the tag 'design'). If you want to search for tags that include a space, use double quotation marks, as in: tag:'vintage cars'. You can also search for multiple tags (but not multiple users). The following search will list documents by user ManRay with the tags 'color' AND 'design': 'user:manray tag:color tag:design'.
Back to indexQuestions about Issuu Pro?
We also have a FAQ about Issuu Pro, find it here.
Questions about copyright?
Issuu takes the rights of intellectual property owners seriously, and complies as a service provider with all applicable provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Please refer to our Copyright FAQ.