The two ways to link a PDF in Google Docs

You can link to a PDF in Google Docs in two ways: by inserting a link to a file that lives somewhere else (like a PDF on your website or in Google Drive), or by embedding the PDF directly into your document so readers see it without leaving the page. The method you choose depends on whether you want readers to read or view the file, and whether you want them to stay inside your document.

If the PDF is in your Google Drive, linking is faster and keeps your document file size smaller. If the PDF lives on another website or service, you can still link to it, but you'll need the full web address. Embedding works best when you want the PDF visible right where you mention it, though embedded PDFs can make your document slower to load if the file is large.

Key Takeaways

  • To link a PDF from Google Drive, right-click the file, copy the shareable link, then paste it into your Google Docs text and format it as a link.
  • To link a PDF from the web, use the Insert menu, select Link, and paste the full URL of the PDF file.
  • To embed a PDF so it displays inside your document, use Insert > Image > Search the web, then paste the Google Drive link of the PDF.
  • Linked PDFs let readers choose whether to open them; embedded PDFs show the first page automatically but may slow down your document.
  • Make sure anyone who needs to read the linked PDF has permission to access it in Google Drive, or the link will show an error.

Linking to a PDF stored in Google Drive

This is the fastest method if your PDF is already in Google Drive. Open Google Drive in another tab, find the PDF file, right-click it, and select "Get link" from the menu. A box will pop up showing the link and a dropdown that says "Restricted" or "Anyone with the link" — choose whichever matches who should be able to see it. Click "Copy link."

Go back to your Google Docs document, highlight the text where you want the link to appear (or type new text like "Read the full report"), then press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). A small dialog box will open. Paste the link you copied into the box and press Enter. The text will turn blue and underlined, showing it's now a clickable link.

Anyone who clicks that link will open the PDF in a new tab. If you chose "Restricted," only people with Google accounts who have permission will see the file — others will get an error. If you chose "Anyone with the link," anyone with the URL can open it, even without a Google account.

Linking to a PDF on the web

If your PDF lives on a website or another service (not Google Drive), you need the direct web address of the PDF file. This usually ends in .pdf. For example, a government form might have a URL like www.example.gov/forms/process.pdf. Copy that full address.

In your Google Docs document, highlight the text you want to turn into a link (or type new text), then press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K. Paste the PDF's web address into the dialog box and press Enter. The text will become a blue link. When someone clicks it, the PDF will open in a new tab.

If you're not sure whether a link is a direct PDF link, look at the URL. If it ends in .pdf, it's a direct link to the file. If it ends in .html or has no file extension, it's a webpage, not a PDF — you can still link to it, but it will open a webpage instead of a PDF.

Embedding a PDF so it shows inside your document

Embedding displays the PDF right in your Google Docs document instead of making readers click to open it elsewhere. The first page of the PDF will show as an image, and readers can click it to open the full file. To embed a PDF from Google Drive, go to Insert > Image > Search the web, then paste the shareable link of the PDF file and press Enter.

Google Docs will show a preview of the first page of the PDF in your document. You can resize it by dragging the corners. When someone clicks the embedded image, the PDF opens in a new tab. This works only with PDFs in Google Drive — you cannot embed PDFs from other websites this way.

Embedded PDFs make your document visually richer but also larger and slower to load, especially if the PDF is many pages long. Use embedding when the PDF is important enough that you want readers to see it when ready, not when you're just providing a reference link.

Checking permissions before sharing your document

Before you share a Google Docs document that contains links to PDFs in Google Drive, make sure the people you're sharing with can actually access those PDFs. If you linked a PDF with "Restricted" permissions, only people with access to that specific file will be able to open the link. Everyone else will see an error message.

To check, open Google Drive, right-click the PDF, and select "Share." You'll see who has access. If you need to give someone access, type their email address in the "Add people" box and choose what level of permission they need (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor). Then go back to your Google Docs document and share it with the same people.

If you're sharing the document with a large group or the public, consider changing the PDF's link permission to "Anyone with the link" so people don't hit access errors. You can always change it back later.

Fixing broken PDF links

A PDF link breaks most often because the file was moved, deleted, or the person clicking it doesn't have permission to see it. If someone tells you a link isn't working, first check that the PDF still exists in Google Drive and hasn't been moved to trash. If it's still there, right-click it and select "Get link" again — the link may have changed if the file was reorganized.

If the PDF is on the web and the link breaks, the website may have moved or deleted the file. Try visiting the website directly to see if the PDF is still there. If it is, look for a new read link and update the URL in your Google Docs document.

For embedded PDFs that show a broken image, the same fixes explore: make sure the PDF exists and that you have permission to access it. If the PDF was deleted, you'll need to remove the embedded image from your document.

When to link versus when to embed

Link to a PDF when you want to keep your document lean and fast, when the PDF is a reference rather than the main content, or when you're not sure if everyone reading your document needs to see it. Links are also better when the PDF is very long or when you want readers to read it to their computer.

Embed a PDF when it's short, when it's central to what you're explaining, or when you want readers to see it without taking an extra step. Embedding works well for one-page forms, certificates, or images you're discussing in detail. Avoid embedding multiple large PDFs in one document — your document will become slow to open and edit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link to a PDF that's not in Google Drive?

Yes. If the PDF has a web address that ends in .pdf, you can link to it using Insert > Link and pasting the full URL. The PDF will open in a new tab when someone clicks the link. You don't need to own the file or have it in Google Drive.

What happens if I move or delete a PDF in Google Drive after I've linked to it?

The link will break and show an error. If you move the PDF to a different folder, the old link still works — Google Drive keeps the link active. If you delete it, the link is gone. If you need to move a PDF, use the move function in Google Drive rather than cutting and pasting it.

Can someone read a PDF if I only link to it?

Yes. When they click the link and the PDF opens in their browser, they can right-click and select "read" or use the read button in the PDF viewer. Linking doesn't prevent downloads — it just means they have to take that extra step.

Why does my embedded PDF show only the first page?

Google Docs embeds only the first page as a preview image. When someone clicks it, the full PDF opens in a new tab. This is how Google Docs is designed to work — you cannot display all pages of a PDF inside the document itself.

Do I need to change link permissions if I'm sharing the document with my team?

Only if your team members don't already have access to the PDF in Google Drive. If they do, the link will work for them. If they don't, change the PDF's link permission to "Anyone with the link" or manually share the PDF with each person who needs it.