Insert PDF into word.
For many of us, Word documents and PDFs are part of everyday working life – - from school, through university and into our careers. As a result, you probably already know the basics of how these two file formats work. Put simply, you edit and write documents in Word and you share and view them with as PDFs. But what if you need to combine the two?
In this guide, we’ll give you a run-through of how to insert a PDF into Word.
Can I insert a PDF into a Word document?
Merging content or documents may not feel straightforward when you’re working with different file formats. The good news is that there are several ways to insert a PDF into a Word document.
You can insert the PDF as an image by converting it to an image format. This makes it easier to embed the document in Word and place it exactly where you want it to go.
Inserting a PDF into Word as an image also:
- Uses less data. Simple image files like JPEG and PNG are likely to use less storage than a PDF.
- Lets you add specific pages. Saving your PDF as an image is an easy way to add a specific item or page from your PDF file to your Word doc.
- Reduces PDF dimensions. If you add your full PDF, you might find it harder to manipulate to fit your document. Saving it as an image is a quick way to make it bigger or smaller to suit your work.
You can use tools like Adobe Acrobat to help with this process.
If you’d rather not insert a PDF into Word directly, you can also attach a PDF to a Word document, which will open the link externally.
Only need certain text or images from your PDF? Convert your PDF to a Word doc first, then copy and paste the content you need.
How to insert a PDF into a Word document as an image.
Inserting a PDF into your Word document as an image is easy with these simple steps:
1. Open the converter tool.
Visit Adobe Acrobat Online and select Convert > PDF to JPEG – or go straight to the PDF to JPG online converter.
If you’re only looking to add an individual page of a multi-page file, you might need to extract PDF pages on Acrobat Online too. Don’t worry - it only takes a moment.
2. Drag and drop your file.
Next, drag your PDF file from your desktop into the drop zone or select it from your computer.
3. Choose your image format.
Then, select your file format and image quality. You can choose from JPEG, TIFF and PNG - all of which are common, user-friendly and widely supported image file types.
4. Click to convert.
Click Convert and let Adobe Acrobat online work its magic. Then, you can download and save your image to your computer.
5. Add the image to your document.
Use the Insert menu in Word or Copy and Paste to add your PDF to your word document as an image.
Why insert PDF pages into Word?
PDFs are often used for important documents, from fillable forms to in-depth reports. Inserting a PDF into a Word document offers a streamlined way to consolidate vital information while preserving quality and formatting.
Here are some of the key reasons why you might want to insert a PDF into Word:
- Consolidate multiple file types into one cohesive document. This reduces the need to juggle separate attachments.
- Preserve the integrity of complex layouts and visuals. This ensures professional, print-ready results.
- Simplify collaboration and review. This allows teams to view PDFs directly within Word without switching apps.
- Add credibility and context. You can do this by embedding official documents, signed forms, or design proofs alongside your content.
- Improve document accessibility and navigation. You can keep all related information in a single, searchable file.
Want to do more with PDF?
Convert, edit, sign and organise your file with Adobe’s free online tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I insert a PDF into a word document with the Insert Object tool?
Yes, you can insert a PDF into a Word document with the Insert Object tool. To do this:
- Open the Word document you want to add the PDF to.
- Click Insert > Object > Create from File.
- Browse for the PDF you want to insert.
- Click Okay.
Your chosen PDF should insert directly into the Word document. From there, you can adjust the size or position of the PDF, just like you would an image.
If your PDF isn’t showing up in your Word document and you’re just seeing an icon instead, make sure you have a good PDF reader or editor installed on your device. It’s possible that your version of Word can’t read the PDF without it.
How do you insert a PDF into Word using Copy and Paste?
You can also use a simple copy-and-paste command to insert your PDF. Follow these simple steps:
- Open the PDF file in a PDF reader or editor, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Select the content you want to insert into the Word document and copy it using the "Copy" command or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac).
- Open the Word document, place the cursor where you want to insert the PDF content and then paste it using the "Paste" command or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac).
If you want to add an editable PDF into a Word document, you’ll need to convert your file first. But it’s easy to convert PDFs to Word using an online PDF editor:
- Visit Adobe Acrobat online.
- Upload the PDF you want to convert.
- Click Export to DOCX.
- Download the new Word file.
Now that your PDF is in the DOCX format, you can easily copy and paste the entire file or specific parts directly into the original Word document.
How do you attach a PDF on to a Word Document?
The easiest way to attach a PDF to a Word document is to simply insert the file. While using Microsoft Word, follow these steps to attach a PDF to a Word document:
- Open the Word document you want to attach the PDF to.
- Click Insert > Object > Create from file.
- Browse for the PDF you want.
- Check Display as Icon and uncheck Link to File.
- Click OK.
The PDF will attach directly to the Word document wherever you have your cursor. Then, you can click the attachment to open the PDF inside of the Word document, like an appendix.
Can I insert multiple PDF pages into Word?
Yes. You can insert multiple PDF pages into Word with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Here’s how:
- Open the Acrobat Reader app on your desktop.
- Go to File > Print and select "Microsoft Print to PDF".
- Pick the pages you wish to insert and click Print. This creates individual PDFs for each page.
- Convert these PDFs to images using the Converter tool.
- Open your Word doc and copy and paste the images of each page across, or use the Insert button to add the images.
Why does the PDF I insert into Word appear oversized?
Occasionally, a PDF image inserted into Word might appear oversized. If this occurs, you can resize the image to get a better fit.
Be careful not to overly shrink your image as excessive compression can distort the image and make it unclear.
Is it possible to edit a PDF directly within Word?
Yes, it is possible to edit a PDF directly within Word. To do this, go to "File," then select "Open," and choose your desired PDF. Word will then convert the PDF into a format that you can edit. However, it's worth noting that PDFs with intricate formatting or complex graphics may not convert very well. It’s most effective for PDFs with simpler layouts.
Can I choose where the PDF goes when I add it to my Word document?
Yes, you can choose where your PDF goes when you add it to your Word document. Simply position your cursor at the desired location within your Word document before clicking Insert. This ensures the PDF appears exactly where you’d like it to be.
Will my PDF keep its original quality when I insert it into Word?
It depends on how you insert the PDF into your Word document. If you insert the file as an object, it should keep its quality. However, converting the PDF into a Word-editable document can sometimes result in a loss of quality for certain elements, such as images or complex formatting.
To ensure optimal results, consider embedding the PDF or inserting it as an image, especially if further editing isn’t needed.
Related Content.
Whether you’re attaching a one-page PDF, a single image or a full-scale report to your Word document, there are a lot of ways to use Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Here are just a few of the handy tricks to get you started using Adobe today.