HTML Plugins Using <object> and <embed>
HTML allows you to embed external content such as PDFs, Flash files (deprecated), or media players using the <object> and <embed> tags. These are commonly used for integrating multimedia or plugin-based content.
<object> Tag
The <object> tag is used to embed multimedia like videos, audio, PDFs, or even other webpages.
<object data="document.pdf" type="application/pdf" width="600" height="400">
<p>Your browser doesn't support PDFs. <a href="document.pdf">Download the PDF</a> instead.</p>
</object>
Common Attributes:
data
: The file or resource URLtype
: The MIME type of the content (e.g., application/pdf, video/mp4)width
andheight
: Dimensions of the embedded contentname
: Specifies a name for the objectform
: Associates the object with a form
<embed> Tag
The <embed> tag is a simpler alternative to <object>, often used to embed media such as audio, video, or Flash (now deprecated).
<embed
src="presentation.swf"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
width="800"
height="600">
<!-- Note: Flash is deprecated and no longer supported -->
Common Attributes:
src
: File path or URL of the resourcetype
: MIME type of the embedded contentwidth
andheight
: Dimensions of the embedded contentpluginspage
: Specifies where to get the plugin (for older browsers)
Key Differences
Feature | <object> | <embed> |
---|---|---|
Flexibility | More versatile (can include fallback content) | Simpler but less flexible |
HTML5 Usage | Recommended for embedding external files | Older approach, still supported |
Fallback Support | Supports nested fallback content | No fallback support |
Modern Alternatives | Can be used with PDFs when needed | Largely replaced by <video> and <audio> |
Modern Alternatives
<!-- For videos -->
<video width="640" height="360" controls>
<source src="video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
</video>
<!-- For audio -->
<audio controls>
<source src="audio.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio.
</audio>
<!-- For PDFs (modern approach) -->
<iframe src="document.pdf" width="100%" height="500px">
<p>Your browser doesn't support iframes. <a href="document.pdf">Download the PDF</a></p>
</iframe>
Best Practices
- Use modern alternatives like <video>, <audio>, and <iframe> whenever possible
- For PDFs, prefer <iframe> over <object> for better compatibility
- Always specify MIME types for better browser compatibility
- Avoid Flash content as it is deprecated and no longer supported
- Provide fallback content for users without plugin support
- Consider accessibility - ensure content is available to all users
- For web pages, use <iframe> instead of <object>
- Test thoroughly across different browsers and devices
When to Use <object> Today
While largely replaced by modern elements, <object> can still be useful for:
- Embedding PDFs when more control is needed than <iframe> provides
- Legacy systems that require specific plugins
- Cases where you need nested fallback content
- Embedding Java applets (though these are also largely deprecated)
Security Considerations
- Be cautious when embedding content from untrusted sources
- Plugins can pose security risks - prefer native HTML5 solutions
- Many browsers have disabled NPAPI plugin support (including Flash, Java, etc.)
- Consider content security policies when using embedded content