The simplest way to insert a PDF

To add a PDF to a Word document, open Word and place your cursor where you want the PDF to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top, select Object, then choose Create from File. Browse to your PDF file, select it, and click Insert. Word will embed the PDF as an image or object you can see in your document.

This method works on both Windows and Mac versions of Word. The PDF appears as a static image — you cannot edit the PDF content directly inside Word, but you can resize it, move it around, and print it along with the rest of your document.

If you only need to show the first page of a multi-page PDF, Word will display just that page. If you need all pages visible, you may want to convert the PDF to images first or insert multiple pages separately.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert menu's Object feature is the standard way to add a PDF to Word without needing extra software.
  • Word embeds the PDF as an image, so you see it in your document but cannot edit the PDF's text or formatting directly.
  • You can resize and reposition the embedded PDF just like any other image in your document.
  • Multi-page PDFs will show only the first page unless you insert each page separately or convert the PDF to individual image files first.
  • The embedded PDF prints along with the rest of your document when you print the Word file.

Inserting a PDF on Windows

Click the Insert tab in the ribbon at the top of Word. On the far right of the ribbon, you will see a button labeled Object with a small dropdown arrow next to it. Click that arrow and select Create from File.

A dialog box will open. Click the Browse button to find your PDF file on your computer. Navigate to the folder where your PDF is saved, click the file name to select it, then click Open. You will return to the dialog box with the file path now showing. Click Insert at the bottom of the dialog, and Word will place the PDF in your document at the cursor position.

If you want the PDF to appear as a clickable icon rather than as a preview image, check the box labeled Display as icon before clicking Insert. This saves space in your document and lets readers double-click the icon to open the PDF in their PDF reader.

Inserting a PDF on Mac

Open your Word document and click where you want the PDF to go. Click the Insert menu at the top of the screen, then select Object. A dropdown menu will appear with the option Create from File — click that.

The file browser will open. Find your PDF file, click it once to select it, then click Insert. Mac Word will embed the PDF in your document. Like the Windows version, you can choose to display it as an icon by checking that option before inserting.

Mac Word sometimes shows the PDF as a smaller preview than Windows does. If the preview is too small to read, you can click and drag the corners of the embedded PDF to make it larger.

What to do if you need to edit the PDF content

Word's embedded PDF cannot be edited directly — if you need to change the text or images inside the PDF, you must edit the original PDF file separately using a PDF editor, then re-insert the updated version into Word.

If you only need to add notes or comments around the PDF, you can type normally in your Word document before and after the embedded PDF. You can also add text boxes or shapes on top of the PDF image if you need to highlight or annotate specific areas.

For PDFs with many pages, consider converting the PDF to a Word document instead. Open the PDF in Word directly by going to File > Open and selecting your PDF. Word will attempt to convert the PDF to editable text and formatting, though the results depend on how the PDF was created. This method works better for text-heavy PDFs than for image-based or scanned PDFs.

Resizing and positioning the embedded PDF

Once the PDF is in your document, click it once to select it. Small squares will appear at the corners and edges. Click and drag any corner square to resize the PDF while keeping its proportions correct. Drag an edge square to stretch it in one direction only.

To move the PDF, click it and drag it to a new location in your document. Word will automatically adjust the text around it. If you want precise control over where the PDF sits, right-click the PDF, select Wrap Text, and choose an option like Square or Tight — this lets you position the PDF exactly where you want without Word moving it automatically.

Inserting multiple pages from the same PDF

If your PDF has many pages and you need all of them visible in your Word document, the Object method will only show the first page. To include additional pages, you have two options: insert the PDF multiple times (once for each page you need), or convert the PDF to individual image files first.

To insert the same PDF again, repeat the Insert > Object > Create from File steps. Word will add another copy of the PDF below the first one. You can then resize each copy and position them as needed. This works well for short PDFs but becomes tedious for documents with many pages.

A faster approach is to convert your PDF to images using free online tools or your PDF reader's export feature, then insert those images into Word using Insert > Pictures. This gives you more control over which pages appear and how they are arranged.

Printing a Word document with an embedded PDF

When you print your Word document, the embedded PDF will print along with all the other content. The PDF appears as it looks on screen — if you resized it, it prints at that size. If you chose to display it as an icon, only the icon prints, not the PDF content itself.

If you want to print just the PDF without the rest of the Word document, right-click the embedded PDF and select Open (or double-click it). This opens the PDF in your default PDF reader, where you can print it separately. Alternatively, you can select and copy just the PDF, paste it into a new document, and print that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit text inside an embedded PDF in Word?

No. Word treats an embedded PDF as an image, not as editable text. To change the PDF's content, edit the original PDF file using a PDF editor, then re-insert the updated version into Word. If you need the PDF content to be editable, convert it to a Word document instead by opening the PDF directly in Word.

Why does my PDF only show the first page?

The Insert > Object method displays only the first page of a multi-page PDF. To show additional pages, insert the PDF multiple times (once per page you need), or convert the PDF to individual image files and insert those instead.

What is the difference between embedding a PDF and displaying it as an icon?

Embedding shows a preview image of the PDF in your document. Displaying as an icon shows only a small clickable icon that readers can double-click to open the full PDF. Icons save space and are useful when you want readers to see the PDF in its original format rather than as a preview.

Will the embedded PDF stay in the document if I move or delete the original PDF file?

Yes. Once embedded, the PDF is part of your Word document. Deleting or moving the original PDF file will not affect the embedded version. However, if you chose the "Link to file" option instead of embedding, the PDF will no longer display if the original file is moved or deleted.

Can I add a PDF to Word on a phone or tablet?

Word's mobile apps (on iPhone, iPad, or Android) do not have the Insert > Object feature. On mobile, you can insert a picture of a PDF or copy text from a PDF and paste it into Word, but you cannot embed a full PDF file the way you can on desktop Word.