Yes, you can insert a PDF into Word, but how it works depends on what you want to do with it
Microsoft Word lets you add a PDF to a document in three different ways, and each one behaves differently. You can embed it as an object that opens in a separate window, insert it as an image that sits flat on the page, or link to it so the file stays separate. Which method you choose depends on whether you need the PDF to be editable, whether file size matters, and whether you want the PDF to stay as its own file or become part of the Word document.
The simplest route for most people is to insert the PDF as an image. This works on Windows and Mac, keeps your file size reasonable, and the PDF appears as a picture you can resize and move around. The trade-off is that you cannot click inside it to edit text or fill forms — it is just a visual copy of what the PDF looks like.
Key Takeaways
- Inserting a PDF as an image is the fastest method and works on both Windows and Mac, but the PDF becomes a flat picture you cannot edit.
- Embedding a PDF as an object keeps it as a separate file inside your Word document, so you can open and edit it, but this increases file size and only works on Windows.
- Linking to a PDF keeps the file separate and your Word document small, but the PDF must stay in the same folder or the link breaks.
- Word cannot convert a PDF to editable text automatically — if you need to edit the content, you will need to copy and paste the text manually or use a separate PDF editor first.
Insert a PDF as an image (works on Windows and Mac)
This is the method most people use because it is straightforward and the file size stays manageable. The PDF appears as a picture on your page, and you can resize it or move it around, but you cannot edit the text inside it.
On Windows: Open your Word document and go to the Insert tab. Click Pictures, then This Device. Find your PDF file and select it. Word will convert the first page of the PDF into an image and insert it. If your PDF has multiple pages, only the first page appears — you will need to insert each page separately if you want them all.
On Mac: Go to Insert, then Pictures, then Picture from File. Navigate to your PDF and click Insert. The same rule applies — only the first page converts to an image.
After insertion, you can click and drag the corners to resize the image, or right-click it to crop, rotate, or adjust brightness. The PDF itself is no longer a separate file — it is now part of your Word document.
Embed a PDF as an object (Windows only)
Embedding keeps the PDF as a separate file inside your Word document. You can double-click it to open and edit it in your PDF reader, and the changes stay with the Word file. This method only works on Windows, and it makes your Word file significantly larger.
Go to the Insert tab and click Object (you may need to click the arrow next to it to see the full menu). Choose Create from File, then Browse to find your PDF. Check the box for Display as Icon if you want the PDF to appear as a small icon rather than a preview. Click Insert.
The PDF now sits inside your Word document as an embedded object. When someone opens the Word file, they can double-click the PDF icon to open it in their default PDF reader. If they edit the PDF and save it, those changes are saved inside the Word document. The downside is that your Word file becomes much larger — embedding a 5 MB PDF can add most of that size to your document.
Link to a PDF instead of embedding it
Linking keeps your Word file small because the PDF stays as a separate file on your computer. When you open the Word document, the link points to that separate PDF. This works well if you are sharing the document with others and want to keep file sizes down, but it requires that the PDF stays in the same folder or the link will break.
Go to Insert and click Hyperlink. In the dialog box, click Browse and find your PDF file. Click Insert. Now your Word document contains a clickable link to the PDF. When someone clicks it, the PDF opens in their default reader.
The risk with linking is that if you move the PDF to a different folder or send the Word document to someone without also sending the PDF, the link stops working. For this reason, linking works best when you are keeping both files in the same location and not moving them around.
What to do if you need to edit the text inside the PDF
Word cannot automatically convert a PDF into editable text. If you insert a PDF as an image, you see what it looks like but cannot change the words. If you embed it, you can open the PDF to edit it, but you are editing the PDF itself, not the Word document.
If you need the text to be editable inside Word, your best option is to copy the text from the PDF first. Open the PDF in your PDF reader, select the text you want, copy it, and paste it into your Word document. This works for straightforward PDFs with straightforward text, but PDFs with complex layouts, tables, or images may not paste cleanly.
For more control, you can use a dedicated PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat (paid) or free alternatives like PDFtk or Smallpdf to extract or convert the PDF before bringing it into Word. Some people also use online conversion tools, though this means uploading your PDF to a third-party server — check the privacy policy of any tool you use if the PDF contains sensitive information.
How file size and sharing affect your choice
If you are emailing the Word document or uploading it somewhere with a file size limit, inserting as an image or linking is better than embedding. An image insertion adds only the size of the image itself, and linking adds almost nothing. Embedding can double or triple your file size.
If you are sharing the document with others, remember that embedded PDFs and links both require the recipient to have the right software. An embedded PDF needs a PDF reader installed. A link needs the separate PDF file to be in the same folder. Inserting as an image is the most portable — anyone who can open Word can see the image, no extra files needed.
For documents you are keeping on your own computer and not sharing, embedding is convenient because everything stays in one file. For documents you share frequently or email, inserting as an image is usually the safest choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I insert all pages of a PDF, or just the first page?
When you insert a PDF as an image, only the first page converts. If you need all pages visible in Word, you must insert each page separately as its own image. For embedding, the entire PDF stays inside the document, but it only appears as an icon or small preview — you have to double-click to see the full PDF.
What happens to the link if I move the Word document to a different folder?
If you used the linking method and move the Word file without moving the PDF, the link breaks and the PDF will not open. To keep links working, move both files together or use embedding instead. If you have already moved them, you can edit the link by right-clicking it and choosing Edit Link, then browsing to the PDF's new location.
Does inserting a PDF as an image make the text searchable in Word?
No. When you insert a PDF as an image, Word treats it as a picture. You cannot search for text inside it, select the text, or copy it. If you need the text to be searchable and editable, you will need to copy the text from the PDF and paste it into Word as regular text.
Can I insert a PDF on a Mac the same way as Windows?
Inserting as an image works the same on both Mac and Windows. Embedding as an object only works on Windows — Mac users can insert as an image or link instead. If you create a document on Windows with an embedded PDF and open it on a Mac, the embedded PDF may not open correctly.
Is it safe to insert a PDF I downloaded from the internet?
Inserting a PDF as an image or linking to it is as safe as opening the PDF normally. Embedding a PDF means it becomes part of your Word file, so if the PDF contained malware, it would now be inside your document. If you are unsure about a PDF's source, scan it with antivirus software before embedding it, or stick to inserting as an image instead.