Override download settings of pdf in web browser with automation

Changing pdf download settings in web browser using python-selenium

Suppose in browser the default setting is: whenever a pdf opens then download it in ‘Downloads’ folder. But while running the automation script, we need to open the pdf in a browser rather the downloading it.

Solution

You need to give below snippet in your function where you do the browser settings:

FIREFOX:
preference_option = driver.FirefoxProfile()
preference_option.set_preference("pdfjs.disabled", False)

pdfjs.disabled = False : pdf will be opened in browser while script execution pdfjs.disabled = True: pdf will be downloaded in the specified location while script execution

CHROME:
preference_option = driver.ChromeOptions()
preference_option.add_experimental_option("prefs",
          {
            "plugins.always_open_pdf_externally": False
          })

plugins.always_open_pdf_externally = False : pdf will be opened in browser while script execution
plugins.always_open_pdf_externally = True: pdf will be downloaded in the specified location while script execution

NOTE:
This setting will be only valid for your automation session. Once tear down happens, browser will regain its original pdf settings.

So easy! Now you see how simple it is to change download settings of pdf in web browser by automation.