The simplest way to add a PDF to Word

You can insert a PDF into a Word document in three ways: as an embedded object that opens inside Word, as a linked file that opens in your PDF reader, or as an image. The method you choose depends on whether you want readers to edit the PDF content, view it without leaving Word, or straightforward see it as a picture on the page.

The most common approach is embedding the PDF as an object. This keeps everything in one file and lets readers open the PDF by double-clicking it, but the PDF itself stays read-only — Word does not convert it to editable text. If you need the content to be editable text in Word, you will need to copy and paste the text manually or use a PDF-to-Word converter outside of Word first.

Key Takeaways

  • Embedding a PDF as an object keeps it viewable inside Word but does not make it editable as Word text.
  • The Insert menu in Word has an Object option that lets you embed PDFs, images, and other file types into your document.
  • Inserting a PDF as an image is faster but loses the ability to open it as a separate file — it becomes a picture on the page.
  • If you need the PDF content as editable Word text, you must copy the text from the PDF first or convert it outside of Word.
  • File size matters: embedding large PDFs makes your Word document much bigger and slower to open.

Embedding a PDF as an object in Word

Open your Word document and place your cursor where you want the PDF to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top of the window, then click Object (you may need to click a dropdown arrow next to it). A dialog box will open with two tabs: Create from File and Create New. Click the Create from File tab.

Click Browse to find the PDF file on your computer. Select it and click Open. You will see the file path appear in the dialog box. Before you click OK, you can check a box labeled Display as icon if you want the PDF to show as a small icon rather than a preview. This saves space and makes the Word file smaller. Click OK and the PDF will be inserted into your document.

Readers can double-click the embedded PDF to open it in their default PDF reader. The PDF itself does not change, and Word does not convert it to editable text. If you edit the original PDF file on your computer later, the version in Word will not update automatically — you would need to delete the old one and insert the new version.

Inserting a PDF as an image

If you want the PDF to appear as a picture on the page rather than as a file readers can open, you can insert it as an image. This is faster than embedding and makes the Word file smaller, but you lose the ability to open the PDF separately. Go to Insert, then click Pictures and choose This Device. Navigate to your PDF file and click Insert.

Word will convert the PDF to an image and place it on the page. You can resize it by dragging the corners, and you can crop it if only part of the PDF is relevant. However, the PDF is now just a picture — readers cannot click it to open the original file, and the text inside the image cannot be selected or copied as text.

Copying text from a PDF into Word

If you need the content from the PDF to be editable text in Word, embedding or inserting as an image will not work. Instead, open the PDF in your PDF reader (Adobe Reader, Preview on Mac, or your browser), select the text you need, and copy it. Then go back to Word, click where you want the text, and paste it.

Be aware that formatting may not copy perfectly — fonts, colors, and spacing sometimes change when you paste from a PDF into Word. You may need to clean up the formatting after pasting. If the PDF has many pages or complex layouts, this method can be time-consuming. In those cases, a dedicated PDF-to-Word converter tool (available online or as software) may be faster, though you should check that any tool you use is from a trusted source.

When to use each method

Use embedding as an object when you want to keep the PDF intact and readable but do not need it to be editable text. This works well for contracts, reference documents, or forms that readers should see but not modify. Use inserting as an image when the PDF is short, you want a compact file, and readers only need to see the content — they do not need to open the original PDF. Use copying text when you need the content to be editable Word text and the PDF is not too long.

File size is worth considering. A Word document with an embedded PDF can become several megabytes larger, which makes it slower to open, harder to email, and more difficult to store. If you are sharing the document with others, inserting as an image or copying text keeps the file smaller. If the PDF is just a reference and readers have access to the original file, you might skip inserting it altogether and instead add a link or note about where to find it.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the Object option does not appear in your Insert menu, you may be using a simplified version of Word or an older version. In Word Online (the browser version), you cannot embed objects — you can only insert images. If you need to embed a PDF, use the desktop version of Word instead.

If the embedded PDF looks blurry or small, try right-clicking it and selecting Open to see if it displays better in your PDF reader. If the Word document is too large after embedding a PDF, delete the embedded PDF and insert it as an image instead, or copy just the text you need. If you are sharing the document and the recipient cannot open the embedded PDF, make sure they have a PDF reader installed — most computers do, but some work devices may not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the PDF after I embed it in Word?

No. Embedding a PDF in Word keeps it as a separate file inside your document. You can view it and open it in your PDF reader, but you cannot edit it directly in Word. If you need to change the PDF content, edit the original PDF file, then delete the old embedded version and insert the updated one.

Will the embedded PDF update if I change the original file?

No. The embedded PDF is a copy, not a link. If you edit the original PDF on your computer, the version in Word stays the same. You must manually replace it by deleting the old one and inserting the new version.

What is the difference between embedding and inserting as an image?

Embedding keeps the PDF as a file that readers can open by double-clicking. Inserting as an image converts the PDF to a picture that cannot be opened separately. Embedding is better if you want readers to access the original PDF; inserting as an image is better if you just want them to see what it looks like and want a smaller file.

Can I insert a PDF into Word on a Mac?

Yes. The steps are the same: go to Insert, click Object, choose Create from File, browse to your PDF, and click Insert. Mac versions of Word have the same Object feature as Windows versions.

Why is my Word document so large after inserting a PDF?

Embedded PDFs add their full file size to your Word document. A 5 MB PDF will make your Word file about 5 MB larger. If file size is a problem, insert the PDF as an image instead, copy only the text you need, or link to the PDF rather than embedding it.