Download List Block with Icons
Download List Block with Icons
Description
Use a Gutenberg Block to manage a download list with file type specific icons. No configuration is necessary. The Block can be used immediately after installation.
Features
- Choose files from media library
- Output chosen files as list with file-type-specific icon, download-link, title, size and description from media library
- Ships with multiple iconsets (Bootstrap-Icons, Dashicons, FontAweSome-Icons, Themify-Icons)
- Optional preview images for images, PDF files and audio or video files with cover image
- Optional frame for icons and preview images with color, radius, inner spacing and background
- Overview of all posts, pages, patterns and templates, which use the block
- Show all files of a folder from folder plugins like Folderly, HappyFiles or Folders
- Abilities for AI agents and automations via the Abilities API of WordPress
- Drag & Drop sorting for the list
- Remove files from list
Supports
- Display of file size, description and icon can be switched on and off
- Choose what link should be published: direct link or attachment page
- Choose an iconset for each Block; manage custom icons in unlimited lists
- Usage of multiple hooks to change or add icons to shipped iconsets
- Sort list by title or filesize with one click
- The Block can be used in widgets
- Set colors, typography and borders for each Block
- Use External files in media library if you want to link to external files
The development repository is on GitHub.
Installation
- Upload “download-list-block-with-icons” to the “/wp-content/plugins/” directory.
- Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu in WordPress.
- Add the Download List Block to the post or page where you want to show the download list. Choose the file(s) you wish to present.
Screenshots
Faq
The description stored at the file in the Media Library itself is used as the description. You can edit it in 2 ways:
- Open the file in the Media Library for editing. There you will find the field “Description”. Enter the desired description here.
- Or open this editing mask via the pencil at the file in the block you have created.
You can also add a custom title and description for each file used only by the Block of this plugin.
No, there are no restrictions.
The block can basically be used in any theme that supports Gutenberg blocks. If this is the case for your theme, you have to ask your theme developer.
Yes, you can manage your custom iconsets in WordPress-backend.
The file will probably have a file type that does not follow the WordPress standard and is therefore not included in our plugin. You have 2 options:
- Use the iconset specific hook “downloadlist_*_icons” to add the list of icons. Check beforehand with the developer of your chosen icon set if the icon you want is included there.
- Use another icon set, which supports the file type if necessary.
WordPress generates the preview of the first page of a PDF file during the upload. This requires Imagick with Ghostscript on your hosting. PDF files uploaded before have no preview: regenerate them e.g. with the plugin “Regenerate Thumbnails” or with wp media regenerate. Files without preview are shown with their icon.
Images, PDF files with generated preview and audio or video files with a cover image. WordPress takes the cover from MP3 files during the upload; you can also set it as featured image when editing the file in the media library. All other files are shown with their icon. The block shows a hint for each case.
Yes, if the plugin saves its folders as taxonomy for the media library, as for example Folderly, HappyFiles or Folders do. Choose the folder in the toolbar of the block with “Choose a download list or folder”. New files in this folder are shown automatically. Plugins which save their folders in their own database tables, like FileBird or Real Media Library, are not supported yet. Developers can add other folder taxonomies with the filter downloadlist_folder_taxonomies. You can disable the use of folders under Settings > Download List Block with Icons > Settings.
Yes, since WordPress 6.9 the plugin offers abilities for the Abilities API of WordPress. An AI agent can e.g. find where a file is shown, list the download lists and folders or check for missing preview images. In the mode “All” it can also assign files to download lists and add download lists to posts. The abilities always run with the rights of the logged-in user. You can disable them or allow only reading abilities under Settings > Download List Block with Icons > Settings, where you also find a check whether they could be used in your project.
No. The preview images are saved in the uploads directory and are public, even if a plugin protects the files themselves. Do not enable the previews for confidential documents.
No. The plugin is intended solely for the Gutenberg editor and will not be extended to other PageBuilders.
Reviews
Finally, an accessibility plugin for downloadable files
By maette216 on October 15, 2025
It's very useful that it's easy to use and compatible with Gutenberg. I searched everywhere and was starting to despair. So thank you to @threadi for this great work.
I've suggested translations for the French version. I m waiting for their validation. I really need a French version for next month 🙂
Great Gutenberg Plugin, Great Support
By thewebtailors on January 31, 2025
Perfect plugin for adding a download link list. I am already using it on a couple of websites. Also, the developer goes above and beyond. Give it a try!
Nice and simple
By sankari on November 13, 2023
A useful and free plugin to easily manage file lists.
Great plugin for Gutenberg and files
By pizienolamitica on July 20, 2023
I was looking for a plugin that would allow me to show the size of the files I wanted to share with the community as well as the extension and icons to show for each individual file. With this plugin I found everything. Good integration with Gutenberg. This plugin replaces Gutenberg's insufficient native "file block" and extends its capabilities.
Please, increase the possibility to select file's icons
Easy to use document listing block
By In Touch Consulting (intercommsa) on April 12, 2023
This Gutenberg block plugin makes it very easy to add a list of downloads anywhere on the page. You can select the files from the media manager and choose whether to show the description, size, etc. And they can be bullets or numbered.
My page builder often conflicts with 3rd party blocks, but this one worked perfectly. It looks very elegant, and it will be easy for my clients to use.
Originally I had a conflict, but support fixed it immediately - very responsive development team!
Easy to use
By KarenWallace on October 19, 2022
Very useful plugin and responsive developer
By redkite on July 26, 2022