How do I allow public auto download of a PDF?

If you upload the .pdf file to the media library it should be accessible to the general public. Then you can link to it on any site page. Behavior when someone clicks on the link depends on their browser configuration and is beyond your control. In some cases the file will open in a new tab and users can choose to save the file from there. In other browsers users are prompted to download, or it happens automatically, placing the file in a folder designated for the purpose.

Users have PDF link behavior configured in their browser for a reason, even if it’s because it’s the default and they have no preference. You should not attempt to force some other behavior besides the chosen configuration. Forcing alternative behavior will either confuse or irritate many users. Don’t do it ??

Thank you. In my haste I forgot to mention this:
While I do have my own WordPress site, I also published a mini-site/online slide show using Indesign. This site I’m trying to link the PDF to is on an Adobe server. I’m really just trying to use my WordPress site as a place to store the PDF and link to it. It seems convoluted, but I tried to use Google Drive and it isn’t working. Thanks!

Linking to a Google Drive document should work as long as the permissions are correct. Getting the right link can be tricky IIRC. I generally don’t link to Google Drive docs so my experience is limited.

OTOH, uploading your file to WordPress is pretty straight forward. The resulting URL is readily available from the media library. Hover over the file’s listing and click the Copy URL action link. Then paste the URL into one of your WP pages or posts.

This of course will link to the PDF file itself. This is unrelated to your slideshow that resides on an Adobe server. I know less about Adobe servers than I know about Google Drive. I expect similar issues. The permissions need to be correct and you need to get the correct link. You can then paste the link into either your PDF document or even a WP page or post.

If your goal is to take visitors to this slideshow on Adobe servers, I don’t understand what function a PDF file serves. Wouldn’t you simply place a direct link to the slideshow on a WP post or page?

thank you for your reply! much appreciated. after further thought on this, i tried google docs again. it worked. i had simply wanted to use my wp site as a source to house the pdf bc i didnt want yet another thing to have to think about (google docs). but this was really easy to make work. thanks again.