The simplest way: insert as an image or embedded object
You can put a PDF into a Word document in three main ways, depending on what you need to do with it afterward. The fastest method is to insert the PDF as an image — Word will show you a preview of the first page, and you can resize it like any picture. The second way is to embed the entire PDF file so it stays editable if someone opens it later. The third way is to convert the PDF to Word format first, then copy the text and formatting directly.
Which method you choose depends on whether you need the PDF to stay as a separate file inside the document, whether you want to edit the text, and how much of the PDF you actually need. A single-page invoice or form usually works fine as an image. A multi-page report you want to edit should be converted first. A PDF you want to keep intact but viewable should be embedded.
Key Takeaways
- Inserting a PDF as an image is the fastest method and works on Windows and Mac, but you can only see the first page and cannot edit the text inside.
- Embedding a PDF keeps the file intact inside your Word document, but the PDF stays read-only and takes up more file space.
- Converting the PDF to Word format first lets you edit the text and formatting, but only works well for PDFs that were originally created from text documents.
- On Windows, use Insert > Object > Create from File to embed; on Mac, use Insert > Object and select the PDF from your computer.
- If the PDF contains scanned images or complex layouts, conversion will not preserve the original formatting perfectly.
Insert a PDF as an image on Windows
Open your Word document and place your cursor where you want the PDF to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top, then click Pictures and choose This Device. Navigate to your PDF file and select it. Word will insert the first page as an image that you can resize by dragging the corners.
This method works when ready and the file size stays small. The downside is that you only see the first page, and if someone opens the document later, they cannot click through to see other pages. If your PDF has multiple pages you need visible, you would have to insert each page separately as its own image, which gets tedious quickly.
Embed a PDF so it stays as a file inside Word
On Windows, go to Insert > Object > Create from File. Click Browse, find your PDF, and select it. Check the box that says Display as icon if you want a small icon that people can double-click to open the PDF. Leave it unchecked if you want a preview of the first page to show. Click OK.
On Mac, go to Insert > Object, then select your PDF file from the dialog that opens. The PDF will embed as an icon or preview depending on your settings.
When you embed a PDF this way, the entire file stays inside your Word document. Someone who opens the document can double-click the PDF to view it in their PDF reader. The tradeoff is that your Word file becomes larger, and the PDF cannot be edited from within Word — it opens in a separate process.
Convert the PDF to Word first for editable text
If you need to edit the content from the PDF, converting it to Word format first gives you the best result. Microsoft Word has a built-in converter: open Word, go to File > Open, and select your PDF file directly. Word will attempt to convert it to editable text and formatting.
This method works well for PDFs that started as Word documents or other text-based files. It works poorly for PDFs that are scanned images, have complex layouts, or use special fonts. After conversion, you may need to fix spacing, reformat tables, or adjust images manually.
Once the PDF is converted and open in Word, you can copy the text you need and paste it into your original document. Alternatively, you can edit the converted version and save it as a new Word file.
When to use each method
| What you are doing | Best method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adding a single-page form or invoice to a document | Insert as image | Fast, small file size, looks clean |
| Keeping a multi-page PDF viewable but not editable | Embed as object | Entire file stays inside, people can open it by double-clicking |
| Copying text or data from a PDF into your document | Convert to Word first | Text becomes editable and you can reformat it |
| Sharing a document with others who need the PDF | Embed as object | No separate file to attach or lose |
Troubleshooting common problems
If you insert a PDF as an image and only the first page shows, that is expected behavior — Word treats the PDF like a picture. If you need all pages visible, embed the PDF instead or convert it to Word format and copy the sections you need.
If the embedded PDF does not open when someone double-clicks it, they may not have a PDF reader installed. Most computers have one built in, but older systems sometimes need Adobe Reader or an alternative like Foxit. Embedding works best when you know the person opening the document has a PDF reader available.
If you convert a PDF to Word and the formatting looks wrong, the original PDF likely contains images, complex tables, or special formatting that Word cannot translate perfectly. In that case, it is usually faster to insert the PDF as an image or embed it rather than spend time fixing the conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit text inside a PDF after I embed it in Word?
No. Embedded PDFs stay read-only — you can view them by double-clicking, but you cannot edit them from within Word. If you need to edit the content, convert the PDF to Word format first, or copy the text you need and paste it into your document separately.
Will the PDF stay in the Word document if I send it to someone else?
Yes, if you embedded it. The PDF becomes part of the Word file, so it travels with the document. If you only inserted it as an image, the image is embedded but the original PDF file is not — the image is just a picture of the first page.
What if my PDF is a scanned image of a document?
Converting a scanned PDF to Word will not work well because Word cannot read text from images. Your best option is to insert it as an image or embed it as a file. If you need the text to be editable, you would need to use optical character recognition (OCR) software first, which is a separate tool.
Does inserting a PDF make my Word file much larger?
Inserting as an image adds only the size of that image. Embedding adds the full size of the PDF file. A typical single-page PDF is 100 KB to 500 KB, so embedding usually adds less than a megabyte. If file size matters for email or storage, inserting as an image is lighter.
Can I do this on Google Docs or other word processors?
Google Docs lets you upload a PDF and convert it to a Google Doc, which gives you editable text. You can also insert an image of the PDF. Other word processors like LibreOffice have similar options. The exact steps vary by platform, but the three approaches — image, embedded file, or conversion — work across most programs.