How to Insert a PDF Into a Word Document

The simplest way: insert as an image

The fastest route is to convert your PDF to an image and drop it into Word. Open your PDF in any PDF reader, take a screenshot of the page you need, and paste it directly into your Word document. This works on Windows, Mac, and any device with Word installed.

If you need a cleaner result than a screenshot, use your PDF reader's export function. Most PDF readers (including the free Adobe Reader) let you right-click the PDF and choose "Export as Image" or similar. Save it as a JPG or PNG file, then in Word go to Insert > Pictures > This Device, find your image file, and click Insert. The image will land in your document at full size — you can resize it by dragging the corners.

Key Takeaways

Converting a PDF page to an image and inserting it as a picture is the most reliable method across all Word versions and devices.
Word can embed a PDF file directly, but it displays as a clickable icon rather than showing the PDF content on the page itself.
If you need the PDF content to be searchable or editable text, you will need to convert the PDF to a Word document first using a conversion tool.
Copying and pasting text directly from a PDF into Word works for straightforward documents but may lose formatting like columns, tables, or special fonts.

Embedding a PDF as an object (shows as an icon)

If you want the full PDF file attached to your Word document without converting it, you can embed it as an object. The PDF will appear as a clickable icon in your document — when someone opens the Word file and clicks the icon, the PDF opens in a separate window.

To do this in Word, go to Insert > Object (on Mac, this is under Insert > Object in the menu bar). A dialog box opens. Click the Create from File tab, then Browse, find your PDF file, and click Insert. Check the box for Display as Icon if you want it to show as an icon rather than a preview. Click OK.

The downside: the PDF does not display as readable content on the page. Anyone reading the Word document will see only an icon and will need to click it to see what is inside. This method is useful when you want to attach a PDF without taking up space in the document itself.

Copying text from a PDF directly into Word

For straightforward PDFs with only text, you can open the PDF in your reader, select the text you need, copy it, and paste it into Word. This is the fastest way if you only need a portion of the PDF.

Open your PDF in any reader, click and drag to select the text you want, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). Switch to your Word document, click where you want the text to go, and press Ctrl+V or Command+V. The text will paste, though it may not keep the original formatting — fonts, colors, and spacing often change. If the PDF has tables, columns, or images mixed with text, this method usually breaks the layout.

This approach works best for straightforward documents like letters or straightforward reports. For complex PDFs with multiple columns, images, or special formatting, converting to an image (as described above) preserves the look much better.

Converting a PDF to a Word document first

If you need the PDF content to be editable text inside Word — not just an image or icon — you will need to convert the PDF to a Word document first. This lets you edit the content directly in Word and search for text within it.

Word itself has a built-in converter. Open Word, go to File > Open, navigate to your PDF file, select it, and click Open. Word will attempt to convert it. The conversion works well for straightforward, text-based PDFs but often struggles with complex layouts, images, or scanned documents. After conversion, you may need to fix spacing, reformat tables, or reposition images.

If Word's built-in conversion does not work well, free online PDF-to-Word converters are available (search "PDF to Word converter"). Upload your PDF, read the converted Word file, and open it in Word. Be aware that online converters vary in quality, and you should review the result before sharing sensitive documents.

Handling scanned PDFs (image-based documents)

If your PDF is a scanned document — meaning it is really a photograph of a page rather than a file with selectable text — none of the text-based methods above will work. You cannot copy text from a scanned PDF because there is no text to copy, only an image.

For scanned PDFs, your best option is to insert it as an image (the method described in the first section). Open the PDF in your reader, export it as an image, and insert that image into Word. If you need the text from a scanned PDF to be searchable or editable, you would need to use optical character recognition (OCR) software, which reads the image and converts it to actual text. Some PDF readers and online tools offer OCR, but this is beyond what Word itself can do.

Resizing and positioning your PDF content in Word

Once you have inserted a PDF as an image or object, you may need to adjust its size and placement. If you inserted it as an image, click the image to select it. Small squares appear at the corners and edges — drag any corner square to resize while keeping the proportions correct, or drag an edge square to stretch in one direction only.

To move the image, click and drag it to a new location on the page. If you want text to wrap around the image, right-click it and choose Wrap Text, then pick the style you prefer (usually Square or Tight works best). If you inserted the PDF as an embedded object (icon), you can move it the same way, but you cannot resize it — it stays at icon size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the PDF content after I insert it into Word?

Only if you converted the PDF to a Word document first. If you inserted it as an image or embedded object, you cannot edit the PDF content directly in Word — you would need to edit the original PDF file separately and then re-insert it. If you converted it to Word format, you can edit the text like any other Word document.

Why does my PDF look blurry or low quality when I insert it as an image?

This usually happens when you resize the image too large. Images have a fixed resolution, so stretching them makes them look fuzzy. Insert the image at or near its original size, or export the PDF at a higher resolution before converting it to an image. If the original PDF itself is low quality, no method will improve that.

What if the PDF is password protected?

You will need to unlock it first. Open the PDF in your reader, enter the password if prompted, and then proceed with whichever insertion method you chose. Word cannot open or convert password-protected PDFs directly, so the PDF must be unlocked before you insert it.

Does inserting a PDF as an object make the Word file much larger?

Yes. Embedding a PDF file inside a Word document increases the file size significantly because the entire PDF is stored within the Word file. If file size matters (for email or storage), insert the PDF as an image instead, which takes up much less space.

Can I insert multiple pages from a PDF at once?

Not directly. You will need to insert them one page at a time — either convert each page to an image and insert them separately, or embed the full PDF as an object (which shows only as an icon). If you need multiple pages to display as readable content, converting the entire PDF to a Word document is the fastest approach.

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.