How to Add a PDF to a Google Doc

The simplest way to add a PDF to Google Docs

You can add a PDF to a Google Doc in two ways: embed it so it appears inside the document, or insert a link that opens the PDF when clicked. The embed method is more common because the PDF shows up right where you want it, but it only works well for PDFs with a few pages. For longer PDFs, a link is usually cleaner because it doesn't make your Google Doc slow to load.

To embed a PDF, open your Google Doc and click where you want the PDF to appear. Then go to Insert in the menu, select Image, and choose Upload from computer or Search the web. Find your PDF file and click it. Google will convert the PDF pages into images and insert them into your document. Each page becomes a separate image stacked vertically.

To insert a link instead, click Insert, then Link. Paste the URL of the PDF or upload the file to Google Drive first, copy its link, and paste that. When someone clicks the link, the PDF opens in a new tab or downloads to their computer, depending on their browser settings.

Key Takeaways

Embedding a PDF converts each page into an image inside your Google Doc, which works best for short PDFs but can slow down longer documents.
Inserting a link to a PDF keeps your Google Doc lightweight and lets readers open the PDF separately in their browser or read it.
To embed, use Insert > Image and upload or search for the PDF file.
To link, use Insert > Link and paste the PDF's web address or Google Drive link.
If you upload a PDF to Google Drive first, you can share the Drive link in your Google Doc so others can access it without needing the file attached.

Embedding a PDF step by step

Open the Google Doc where you want the PDF to appear. Click at the exact spot in the document where you want the PDF pages to show up — the cursor will be blinking there. Then click the Insert menu at the top of the page.

From the dropdown menu, click Image. A new menu will appear with four options: Upload from computer, Search the web, By URL, and Google Photos. Click Upload from computer if the PDF is saved on your computer. A file browser window will open. Navigate to your PDF file, click it once to select it, and click Open. Google will process the file for a few seconds, then insert it into your document.

Each page of the PDF becomes a separate image in your Google Doc. You can resize these images by clicking and dragging the corners, or delete them by clicking and pressing Delete. If your PDF has many pages, the document will become very long and may load slowly on other people's computers.

Linking to a PDF instead of embedding it

Linking works better when your PDF is long or when you want readers to read it rather than view it inside the document. First, decide where the link should go. You can link text, an image, or just paste the PDF's web address directly into your Google Doc.

If you want to link text, highlight the words you want to turn into a link. Then click Insert > Link. A small dialog box will appear asking for the link address. If your PDF is already on the web, paste its full web address (starting with http:// or https://). If your PDF is on your computer, you will need to upload it to Google Drive first.

To upload to Google Drive, go to drive.google.com, click New, and select File upload. Choose your PDF and wait for it to finish uploading. Right-click the file in Drive, select Get link, and copy the link that appears. Go back to your Google Doc, paste that link into the Insert Link dialog, and click OK. Now anyone with the link can open or read your PDF.

Why embedding slows down your document

When you embed a PDF, Google converts each page into a high-quality image and stores all those images inside your Google Doc. A 20-page PDF becomes 20 images, which takes up storage space and makes the document slower to open and edit. If you have a lot of people viewing or editing the document at the same time, the slowdown becomes noticeable.

Linking avoids this problem because the PDF stays separate from your Google Doc. The link is just text or a button that points to the PDF's location — either on the web or in your Google Drive. The PDF itself doesn't get copied into the document, so your Google Doc stays small and fast.

Uploading a PDF to Google Drive to share it

If you want to share a PDF with others but don't want to embed it in your Google Doc, upload it to Google Drive and share the Drive link. Go to drive.google.com and click New > File upload. Select your PDF and wait for the upload to finish. The file will appear in your Drive.

Right-click the PDF file and click Share. A dialog will open where you can set who can access the file. You can share it with specific people by typing their email addresses, or you can make it viewable to anyone with the link. Copy the link and paste it into your Google Doc, an email, or anywhere else you want people to find it. When someone clicks the link, they can view or read the PDF depending on the permissions you set.

What happens when someone views your embedded PDF

When you embed a PDF in a Google Doc, readers see the PDF pages displayed as images inside the document. They can scroll through them like any other content in the doc. They cannot search inside the embedded PDF or copy text from it — it is just a picture of the PDF, not the actual PDF file.

If readers need to search the PDF, copy text from it, or use other PDF features, they should open the actual PDF file instead. You can give them the option by including both an embedded preview and a link to the full PDF file. That way they can see what it is without leaving your Google Doc, but they can also open the real file if they need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a PDF after I embed it in my Google Doc?

No. When you embed a PDF, Google converts it to images, so you cannot edit the content. If you need to change the PDF, edit the original file, re-upload it, and replace the embedded version in your Google Doc. Linking to the PDF instead lets readers always see the most recent version without you having to update the doc.

What if the PDF file is too large to upload?

Google Drive allows files up to 5 TB, so size is rarely a problem. If your PDF is genuinely huge, try compressing it using an online PDF tool before uploading. If you are embedding the PDF in your Google Doc and it has many pages, consider linking instead — embedding very large PDFs can make your doc slow.

Can I embed a PDF from a link instead of uploading it?

Not directly. The Insert > Image method requires you to upload the file or search Google Images. If you have a link to a PDF on the web, use Insert > Link instead to create a clickable link in your doc.

Will people be able to read the PDF if I embed it?

No. Embedded PDFs are converted to images, so there is nothing to read — readers just see the pages displayed in your Google Doc. If you want people to read the PDF, use Insert > Link and point to the PDF file in Google Drive or on the web.

Does embedding a PDF use up my Google Drive storage?

Yes. The embedded images are stored as part of your Google Doc, so they count toward your Drive storage limit. Linking to a PDF in Drive uses storage for the PDF itself, but not extra storage for the link. If storage is tight, linking is the better choice.

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.