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30

How To Download Scribd Documents For

Free
Posted by Jamie on January 20, 2018
Originally marketed as the “YouTube” for documents, Scribd began its operation as a
way for anyone to publish and host their documents and writing online. Born out of the
need for one of the site’s creators to host his father’s medical research without having to
pay for publication and wait over a year for the documents to be published, the site
gained notoriety in 2009 after signing a deal with several publications, including The New
York Times, Huffington Post, TechCrunch, and several other blogs and publications to
host their documents, as well as for their Scribd Store, which allowed users to sell digital
copies of their work online.

Since then, Scribd has morphed into an online subscription service, built to read millions
of eBooks, comics, and more online with a Netflix-like subscription service. Despite this
refocus on more mainstream titles and novels, Scribd is still used by millions of people
daily to host and share online documents using the platform built by the site itself. In the
site’s documents section, you’ll find historical papers, political documents, poll results,
and plenty of other information for use in your college assignments, term papers, or just
as a general document of interest. And while viewing these articles is free by itself, albeit
with some limitations on certain documents, downloading this information to your
computer is limited for often than not.

While you should avoid downloading and using others’ documents without paying for a
monthly Scribd decision, at the end of the day, certain users—students specifically—may
find it difficult to pay for the research and other documents provided on the website.
Luckily, there are some ways around these restrictions. Though the three methods
outlined below are both occasionally hit or miss, they often can be used to bypass the
Scribd security and subscription measures, making it easy to view the documents
necessary for your next project or paper. Here’s what to do.
METHOD ONE: UPLOADING DOCUMENTS
Our first method for downloading Scribd documents on the web today relies on
uploading a document of your own to a Scribd account, in order to gain access to the
document you want to download. We’ll be performing our test in Google Chrome,
though you should be able to accomplish this in any modern browser, including Firefox,
Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Start by heading over to Scribd.com and signing up for a new
account. Alternatively, if you already have an account with Scribd, you can use your
existing account by logging in. Scribd supports accounts with both Facebook and Google
sign-ins, so starting a new account is as easy as clicking a button and linking your
account. Once you’ve signed in, find the document you want to download and copy the
URL down to an outside source, like a Google Keep note or Word document.
From here, you’ll want to click the “Download” option on the right side of your display.
This will automatically redirect you to a page designed to help you set up your Scribd
subscription, complete with a 30-day trial. Above this page, however, you’ll see an
option to upload files from your computer, with a button that reads “Select Files to
Upload.” Click this button and, on your computer, prepare any kind of document. If you
have a word processor installed on your computer, like Word or Apple Pages, you can
use that to create a short, meaningless document. Alternately, you can use Google Docs
to create a free document on your computer, and download it to your device. The
document can contain anything, including straight gibberish; we recommend using
a Lorem Ipsum generator if you’re having trouble figuring out what to write. When your
document is uploaded, provide a title for the new file and hit “Save.”

Now, grab that URL we saved earlier in this process and paste it into the address bar at
the top of your web browser. A download button should load on your device, and you’ll
be able to save the Scribd document to your computer. However, we should mention that,
thanks to recent updates from Scribd, we’ve had some difficulties performing this
without first editing the HTML code using the inspect button on your browser. It’s not a
perfect solution, but once you edit the HTML for the View button to lead to your device,
you can download an HTML version of the page, allowing you to take the document
offline. If you have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro (check with your school or teacher),
you can convert the HTML document to a PDF.

METHOD TWO: USING THE PAGE SOURCE CODE

The second of two methods used for viewing Scribd documents, this involves using
Mozilla Firefox to view the page’s source code to gain access to the page’s info. As
mentioned above, we’ve experienced some hit or miss results with this method, but since
it only takes a couple minutes of your time to try, it’s worth trying anyway. You’ll know
this method has failed if you receive a message that announces an invalid key error.
Otherwise, let’s get going with your Scribd document. This was originally our top-
recommended way to download Scribd documents without paying for a membership, but
we’ve heard from enough users having difficulty with this process to demote it to a
backup method.
Start by navigating Firefox (we can’t suggest using Chrome, as Chrome generates a .swf
file that never manages to download) to the Scribd document you’re looking to save to
your computer. Though Scribd also carries full-length novels and other works of fiction,
we recommend only using this for nonfiction documents and other sources for your
projects, papers, and research. Inside your document’s preview, right-click the document
and select “View Page Source” from the menu. This will open a new tab in your browser,
displaying the source information for your Scribd target.

In this new page, hit Ctrl+F to open the Find in Page UI in Firefox. In this field, enter the
phrase “access_key,” and upon finding the result in the Scribd source code, highlight and
copy the code to your computer. It should be an alphanumerical code, and appear as ‘key-
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.” Now head back to the original document page in your browser
and look at the URL in the top of the browser. This time, we’re looking for the document
ID number in the URL of your specific page. Unlike the access key, the document ID is
listed in the URL, and consists of several numbers. The URL should appear as
“‘https://www.scribd.com/read/NUMBER/DOCUMENT TITLE.” We’ll be using the
number portion of that link in a moment.

Now, open up a new tab in Firefox. We’re going to create a new URL using the
information provided us by both the access key, the document ID number, and the
following partial URL:
“http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=NUMBER&access_key=ke
y-ACCESS_KEY”. When you’ve pasted this URL into your new tab, replace the number
section with the document ID and the access key area with the access key you grabbed
earlier. Following this, you’ll have to wait a few minutes for the page to load as your
documents begins to download from the Scribd servers. Once your document has finished
loading, use the print option to print to PDF, and your document will be saved to your
computer.

If this method doesn’t work for you, and you receive some form of error message from
Scribd, retry using the first method listed above. Users have reported to us that their
preferred method uses the document upload method listed above.

METHOD THREE: GREASEMONKEY SCRIPTS

For this next step, you’ll need to use one of multiple different Greasemonkey scripts to
download your document, in addition to using Firefox. This has been hit or miss with us
as well, especially as extensions and plugins age and Scribd continues to update their site.
Still, it’s worth mentioning if only for the sake of completion. The first thing you’ll need
to make sure you have is Firefox. Greasemonkey is a Firefox-only extension, and though
Tampermonkey exists for Chrome, we’re going to need to use Firefox for this one. Install
Greasemonkey from the Firefox plugin store, and head over to this site to install the
Scribd Greasemonkey extension. There are actually several of these that exist online, and
each may be worth trying until you find the correct one for you.

With your Greasemonkey script installed, you should be able to download Scribd
documents within your browser using the download key that appears on the top of the
page. That said, because Scribd is constantly changing their site, we can’t always
guarantee that you’ll be able to find a script that works. In our tests, we found success
using the script here, along with some of the scripts on GreasyFork, which also include
options to de-blur documents on Scribd.

***

Unfortunately, the nature of Scribd means that these methods are far from perfect. Scribd
doesn’t want users to access their document collection for free, and therefore, these
methods are always up in the air for whether or not they’ll work. Typically, trying to
force Scribds hand will get you somewhere, from a full-blown document downloaded
from their servers to a saved and converted HTML document that can be used for PDF
files. As always, we update this article once every couple months with the newest
information we can, and our comment section is a great way to see who else is having
success downloading from Scribd. None of the methods performed here are by any means
perfect, but with enough time, energy, and effort, making progress within Scribd to gain
access to documents for your homework or studying isn’t too far away.

30 thoughts on “How To Download Scribd Documents For

Free”
 Fahad

June 4, 2018 at 9:53 am

Though instructions for Method#1 is kinda vogue (as there’re some design changes to scribd), but it
does work as of June 2018.

Basically the KEY-POINT here is: You need to upload a document in order to download any ‘premium’ docs.
Not sure, if this is a vulnerability of the site or a legitimate feature.

Ann

June 5, 2018 at 11:38 am

Method 1 doesnt work for me. Used Chrome. No download button after uploading. As for HTML
code using inspect button … I used inspect button but HTML code ??? chinese for me
REPLY

jlie

June 3, 2018 at 5:01 pm

I use firefox and the url generated a swf, not a pdf. Its not working
REPLY

wyb

June 3, 2018 at 2:14 am

Just wanted to say thank you so much!!! Method 1 worked for me. 🙂
REPLY

ayoobi

May 26, 2018 at 2:52 am

method 2 works fine under internet explorer
REPLY

Naveen

May 25, 2018 at 8:36 pm

1st method works, thanks a lot.
REPLY

md faique
May 23, 2018 at 12:16 am
1st method works like a charm
REPLY

amit Kumar

May 15, 2018 at 11:47 am

1st Method works!!!!!

Thanks buddy!

REPLY

maria

May 8, 2018 at 10:56 pm

Method 1 just worked for me. Thanks!
REPLY

Andrews

May 1, 2018 at 7:23 pm

Method 1 worked perfectly for me but I was given a file with swf extension when I used method 2.
Thank you
REPLY

mj

April 29, 2018 at 12:12 am

showing this error after 2- 3 downloads “We’re sorry, but your computer or network may be sending
automated download queries. To protect our users, we can’t process your request right now”.
REPLY

Yo

April 24, 2018 at 3:46 pm

Method 1 worked! April 24th 2018
REPLY

zaffy

April 20, 2018 at 5:43 pm

the first method works ! thanks dude !
REPLY

sunny bhandari

April 18, 2018 at 6:20 am

dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

first method really worked .nice work

Blessed

April 20, 2018 at 7:36 am

But is it valid only for documents ? No for book?
REPLY

Ilovetechjunkie

April 15, 2018 at 6:14 am

The first method actually works guys, thanks a lot tech junkie peeps!!! By the way a lot of your
articles are really helpful to us all.
REPLY

igoa

April 9, 2018 at 5:12 pm

Hello
The first method from the guide works
Thank you very much :))
REPLY

kenken

April 8, 2018 at 8:09 pm

the first method works. thanks alot
REPLY

Andrew

March 31, 2018 at 11:24 am

1st method worked for me – 3/31/18
REPLY
 JOHN DOE

March 8, 2018 at 12:38 am

Method 1 works!! – March 7th, 2018
REPLY

SolidSteak

March 5, 2018 at 8:58 pm

Wow, the first method actually worked!
Thanks a lot!
REPLY

Ana

March 5, 2018 at 11:46 am

The first method works, just tried it. 05 March 2018. Thank you for this article it didn’t approve my
credit card to start the trial. If anyone has trouble, contact me, I’ll help you.

Ann

June 6, 2018 at 9:33 am

Hello,

Tried Method 1 but doesnt work using Chrome, particularly with HTML code using inspect button, thanks.

REPLY

Indie Jone

March 4, 2018 at 5:38 pm

None of these methods work anymore March 4th 2018
REPLY

www.page-rank.pl

March 2, 2018 at 4:59 am

That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Brief but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!

REPLY
 ihightower

February 21, 2018 at 3:39 am

Method 1 worked just fine for me today. (21feb2018)
Method 2 had an error pop up.
—
In Method 1, I didn’t see a “upload” button in the “30 day trial” page.. but this didn’t stop me.. all i
need to do is paste the upload url copied from the original page…
then follow through with the step.. it worked great!!! thank you.

it worked on 21feb2018.. it did.. it worked..

follow steps properly.

REPLY

Jason

February 20, 2018 at 9:11 pm

Havent been able to use Method 2 since last year. An error which states that the document is no
longer flash embed. = (
Tried with several different files. I would appreciate a work around for method 2.
REPLY

rodzmar

February 12, 2018 at 12:23 am

thank you
REPLY

Dan

January 10, 2018 at 5:56 pm

Use Mozilla Firefox for this. Will not work on Chrome.
REPLY

Nimi

January 4, 2018 at 1:45 pm

The uploader has changed to pick only from local directory. So we can no longer give a web
address. The changing key and doc id method downloads an swf file. So neither works:-(

Rusty
January 4, 2018 at 10:42 pm
Same. Could use an update.

Nimi

January 5, 2018 at 3:55 am

I found a way to do it. You have to save an empty file as said above. Once done, a link will be
provided for you to share the document. Copy the link address.Now right click on that box and
choose inspect. Find the link address there and replace it with the document address you want to
download. Now if you select the view button.. it will take u to the document where u can download it.

struggling

October 3, 2017 at 8:40 am

just try method 2 guys, much simpler – from a desperate person who has been struggling for 15
mins to download one single file

Afd

February 12, 2018 at 8:49 pm

Ive been doing just like it said, but it leads me into .swf files, anything wrong with that ? because i
cant open it
REPLY

Anon

September 29, 2017 at 9:00 pm

A method that works currently is simple. You see, they load the pages then put the block over it. in
firefox, you can go to tools, page info, media, and it will show you all loaded pages.

So scroll all the way through the document, then select all the image files in the media section that are actually
pages, and you’ll have your data

thisworks

January 26, 2018 at 4:22 pm

BEST METHOD – it’s not a full-quality PDF but the other methods don’t seem to work anyway. —
Jan 27, 2018
REPLY

febri
September 21, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Thank you, you make my day.
if someone confuse with 2nd option just try this.
1. sign up to scribd
2. upload whatever file use generator to fillc contain with word
3. if done, then open your url that you want to download, it will be downloadable

Daniel

September 23, 2017 at 8:10 am

Where does the download button appear I can’t see it?

Dave

September 25, 2017 at 2:53 pm

Do you see all the way on the right side and almost all the way at the top, how there is an icon of
four arrows, pointing away from each other? Then immediately to the left is a printer icon, and to the
left of that, an arrow pointing down. The arrow pointing down is the download. Good luck!

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