How to Insert a PDF Into a Word Document

The fastest way depends on what you want the PDF to look like

You can insert a PDF into Word in three ways, and which one works best depends on whether you want the PDF to stay editable, appear as an image, or link to the original file. If you want to embed the PDF so readers see it inside the document, Word can display it as an image or as an embedded object. If you want to keep the PDF separate but reference it, you can insert a link instead. Each method takes about one minute.

The simplest approach for most people is to insert the PDF as an image — this works in Word on Windows, Mac, and online, and the PDF pages appear as pictures that readers can see but not edit. If you need the content to remain editable text, you will need to convert the PDF first or use a different method. If you want readers to open the original PDF file when they click, a link is faster than embedding.

Key Takeaways

Inserting a PDF as an image embeds it visually in your document and works on all versions of Word, but the text inside cannot be edited.
Embedding a PDF as an object lets readers open it within Word, but only works in Word on Windows and Word online, not on Mac.
Inserting a link to the PDF keeps the file separate and lets readers open it in their PDF reader, which is useful if the PDF changes often.
If you need the PDF content as editable text, you must convert the PDF to Word format first using a converter tool or your PDF reader.

Insert a PDF as an image (works everywhere)

This method embeds the PDF pages as pictures inside your Word document. The PDF will not be editable, but it will display clearly and work on Windows, Mac, and Word online. Open your Word document, click where you want the PDF to appear, then go to the Insert tab and select Pictures. Choose This Device, find your PDF file, and click Insert. Word will convert the first page of the PDF to an image.

If your PDF has multiple pages, Word will only insert the first page. To add the other pages, repeat the process for each one. You can resize the images by dragging the corners, and you can crop them if you need only part of a page. This method is reliable because it does not depend on how the PDF was created or whether it has special formatting.

Embed a PDF as an object (Windows and online only)

Embedding a PDF as an object means the entire PDF file sits inside your Word document, and readers can double-click it to open it. This works on Word for Windows and Word online, but not on Word for Mac. Open your document, click where you want the PDF, go to Insert, and select Object. In the dialog box, click the Create from File tab, then Browse to find your PDF. Check the box for Display as Icon if you want a small icon instead of a preview, then click OK.

The advantage of this method is that the entire PDF stays with your document — readers do not need the original file to open it. The disadvantage is that it only works on Windows and online, and the PDF will not display as a preview in the document itself unless you uncheck Display as Icon. If you uncheck it, Word will show a preview of the first page, but the file size of your document will increase.

Insert a link to the PDF (keeps the file separate)

If you want readers to open the PDF in their own PDF reader rather than inside Word, insert a link instead. This keeps your Word document smaller and lets you update the PDF without changing the Word file. Open your document, select the text you want to turn into a link (or type new text), then right-click and choose Link. In the dialog, click Browse, find your PDF file, and click OK.

When readers click the link, the PDF will open in their default PDF reader. This method works on all versions of Word and all devices. The downside is that the PDF file must stay in the same location — if you move or delete the PDF, the link will break. If you email the document to someone else, you will need to send the PDF file separately, or move both files to a shared folder that the other person can access.

Convert the PDF to Word if you need editable text

If the PDF contains text that you need to edit inside Word, inserting it as an image or object will not work — you need to convert the PDF to a Word document first. The easiest way is to open the PDF in your PDF reader (such as Adobe Reader or your browser), look for an Export or Save As option, and save it as a Word document. Some PDF readers have this feature built in; others do not.

If your PDF reader does not have an export option, you can use a free online converter. Search for "PDF to Word converter" and choose a site that lets you upload your file. read the converted Word document, then open it in Word and copy the text you need. Be aware that converted PDFs sometimes have formatting problems — text may be in the wrong order, images may not convert, or special characters may appear as symbols. Check the converted document carefully before using it in your final file.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Word will not let you insert the PDF, the file may be corrupted or in an unusual format. Try opening the PDF in your PDF reader first to make sure it opens correctly. If it does, try saving it again with a different name, then insert the new copy. If you are using Word on Mac and the embed-as-object method is not available, use the image method instead — it works on all devices.

If the inserted PDF looks blurry or low quality, you may have inserted it at a very small size. Click the image and drag the corner handles outward to enlarge it. If the text is still hard to read, the original PDF may have low resolution. In that case, try opening the PDF in your PDF reader, zooming in, taking a screenshot of the section you need, and inserting the screenshot instead — this often produces clearer results than inserting the whole PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit text inside a PDF after I insert it into Word?

No, not if you insert it as an image or embedded object. The PDF will display in your document, but the text inside it cannot be edited. If you need to change the text, you must edit the original PDF file first, then re-insert it. If you need the content as editable text in Word, convert the PDF to Word format before inserting it.

What happens to the PDF if I move or delete the original file?

If you inserted the PDF as an image or embedded object, the PDF is stored inside your Word document, so deleting the original file will not affect it. If you inserted a link, the link will break and readers will see an error. To avoid this, keep the PDF file in the same folder as your Word document, or move both files together if you need to relocate them.

Can I insert a PDF into Word on my phone or tablet?

Word on mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android) does not have the same Insert options as the desktop version. You can insert a link to a PDF if it is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, but you cannot embed it as an image or object. For full control over how the PDF appears, use Word on a computer.

Why is my Word document so large after I inserted the PDF?

Embedded PDFs and images increase file size significantly. If you inserted the PDF as an image, try compressing it: right-click the image, select Compress Picture, and choose a lower resolution. If you embedded the PDF as an object, consider using a link instead to keep the file smaller. You can also delete the PDF and insert a link instead, which adds almost no file size.

Can I insert multiple pages of a PDF at once?

The image method inserts only the first page at a time, so you must repeat the process for each page you want to add. The embed-as-object method includes all pages, but readers must double-click to open the full PDF. If you need all pages visible in your document, insert each page as a separate image, or convert the PDF to Word format and copy the text instead.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.