Understanding Embedded Use Cases

Overview

Embedding places an interactive PandaDoc frame inside your website or app, so your users can work with documents without leaving your platform. There are three embedding use cases, each targeting a different stage of the document workflow and a different type of user.

Try it yourself: Embedded Editing/Signing Playground (no account needed).

Comparison

	Editing	Sending	Signing
What's embedded	Full PandaDoc editor	Simplified editor for field placement on a PDF	Document for viewing and signing
Primary user (Sales platform)	Revenue Ops	Sales Rep	Client (Buyer)
Primary user (HR platform)	HR Ops	Recruiter	Candidate / Employee
What can the user do?	Create and edit templates and documents with all fields, blocks, and signers	Upload a PDF, drag and drop fields, assign recipients, and send for eSignature	View and sign a document
Fields to customize	All fields and content blocks -- full editing experience	Drag and drop signature, date, text, dropdowns, radio buttons, etc.	None
End user license required?	No*	No*	No

*The end user doesn't need a PandaDoc license, but your organization must be a PandaDoc client to implement embedding.

When to use each

Embedded Editing -- when your users need the full editor to create or modify templates and documents. Useful for Revenue Ops or HR Ops teams who design document workflows within your platform.
Embedded Sending -- when documents originate outside PandaDoc (e.g., PDFs from another system) and your users need to add interactive fields before sending. Provides a focused experience without exposing the full editor.
Embedded Signing -- when you want end users (clients, candidates, employees) to sign documents directly in your app. The simplest embedding -- recipients interact with a read-only document and complete required fields.

These use cases can be combined. For example, Revenue Ops build templates via embedded editing, Sales Reps prepare PDFs via embedded sending, and Buyers sign via embedded signing -- all within the same platform.

Related concepts

Understanding the Document Workflow Lifecycle -- how all three embedded experiences fit the overall document lifecycle
Shared Links vs Embedded Sessions