The fastest way to add a PDF to Word
You can add a PDF to a Word document in three ways: embed it as an image (the simplest method), insert it as a linked file, or convert the PDF to text first. The method you choose depends on whether you need the PDF to stay editable, whether you want readers to open it separately, or whether you just need the content visible on the page.
On Windows and Mac, the image method works the same way and takes about 30 seconds. If you need the PDF to remain a clickable file that opens in a separate window, you'll use the Insert menu instead. Converting the PDF to text beforehand is slower but gives you the most control over formatting.
Key Takeaways
- Inserting a PDF as an image embeds it directly into your Word document and works on both Windows and Mac, but the PDF cannot be edited or clicked to open separately.
- Linking to a PDF file keeps the file separate and lets readers open it in their PDF reader, but the link breaks if you move or delete the original PDF.
- Converting a PDF to text first gives you the most control over how the content looks in Word, but requires extra steps and works best for text-heavy PDFs.
- Word on Mac has fewer options than Word on Windows; the image method is your most reliable choice on Mac.
Insert a PDF as an image (Windows and Mac)
This method embeds the PDF directly into your Word document as a picture. The PDF becomes part of the document file itself, so it travels with your document and doesn't break if you move files around. The trade-off is that the PDF is no longer interactive — readers cannot click links inside it or edit it.
On Windows: Open your Word document and click where you want the PDF to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top, click Pictures, then choose This Device. Navigate to your PDF file, select it, and click Insert. Word will convert the first page of the PDF into an image. If your PDF has multiple pages, only the first page will show.
On Mac: Open your Word document and click where you want the PDF. Click Insert in the menu bar, then choose Picture, then Picture from File. Find your PDF file and click Insert. Mac will embed the first page as an image, the same as Windows.
If your PDF has multiple pages and you need all of them in Word, you'll need to repeat this step for each page. This method works best for single-page PDFs or when you only need the first page visible.
Link to a PDF so it opens separately
Linking keeps the PDF as a separate file that readers can click to open in their default PDF reader. This is useful when you want the PDF to remain editable or when you want readers to view it in full-screen mode. The downside is that the link breaks if you move or delete the original PDF file.
On Windows: Open your Word document and type the text you want readers to click (for example, "Download the full report"). Select that text, then right-click it and choose Link. In the dialog box, click This Document on the left, then Browse for File. Find your PDF and click OK twice. The text is now a clickable link to your PDF.
Alternatively, go to the Insert tab, click Link, and follow the same steps. Either method works the same way.
On Mac: Select the text you want to turn into a link, then go to Insert in the menu bar and click Link. Click Browse, find your PDF file, and click Open. The text becomes a clickable link.
When you share the Word document with someone else, include the PDF file in the same folder. If the PDF moves or gets deleted, the link will break and readers will see an error.
Convert the PDF to text first, then paste it into Word
If you need the PDF content to look polished and formatted inside Word, converting it to text first gives you the most control. This method works best for PDFs that are mostly text, like reports or articles. PDFs with complex layouts, images, or tables may not convert cleanly.
Use a free online PDF-to-text converter like Smallpdf, ILovePDF, or PDF2Go. Upload your PDF, download the text file, then open it in Word. You can now edit the text, adjust fonts, and reformat it to match your document. This takes longer than the other methods but gives you a finished result that looks intentional rather than pasted in.
Be aware that some PDFs are locked or encrypted and cannot be converted. If the converter rejects your file, you may need to contact the PDF's creator for an editable version.
What to do if your PDF has multiple pages
If you insert a PDF as an image, Word shows only the first page. To include all pages, you have three options: insert each page separately as an image (time-consuming but reliable), convert the entire PDF to text and paste it in, or link to the PDF file so readers can open the complete document.
If you choose to insert each page separately, repeat the Insert > Pictures > This Device steps for each page. Word will add each page as a new image in your document. This method works but can make your Word file very large if the PDF has many pages.
The link method is usually faster: create a clickable link to the PDF, and readers can open the full document in their PDF reader without cluttering your Word file.
Troubleshooting common problems
The PDF won't insert as an image: Make sure the PDF file is not corrupted. Try opening it in Adobe Reader or your browser first to confirm it works. If it opens fine there but Word rejects it, try converting the PDF to an image file (JPG or PNG) using an online converter, then insert that image instead.
The link is broken after I share the document: You moved or deleted the original PDF file. When you share a Word document with a PDF link, keep the PDF in the same folder and send both files together. If the recipient needs to use the link, they must keep the files in the same folder on their computer.
The PDF looks blurry or pixelated in Word: This happens when Word converts the PDF to a low-resolution image. The quality depends on the original PDF. If the image is too blurry to read, try the text conversion method instead, or link to the PDF so readers can view it in full quality in their PDF reader.
Only the first page shows: This is normal when you insert a PDF as an image. Word only converts the first page. Insert each page separately, or use the link method to let readers open the full PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a PDF after I insert it into Word?
Not if you insert it as an image — it becomes a picture and cannot be edited. If you need to edit the PDF content, convert it to text first, paste it into Word, and edit it there. Alternatively, link to the PDF so readers can open and edit it in their PDF reader.
Will the PDF file size make my Word document huge?
Yes, especially if the PDF has many pages or high-resolution images. Inserting a PDF as an image embeds the entire image data into your Word file, which can double or triple the file size. Linking to the PDF instead keeps your Word file small, since only the link is stored, not the PDF itself.
What's the difference between inserting and linking?
Inserting embeds the PDF (or its image) directly into Word, so the document is self-contained and the PDF won't break if you move files. Linking keeps the PDF separate and requires the original file to stay in the same location. Linking keeps your Word file smaller but is riskier if files get moved or deleted.
Can I insert a PDF on Word Online or Word on my phone?
Word Online has limited options — you can insert images but not PDFs directly. Word on phones and tablets also has limited insertion features. For the full range of options, use Word on your computer (Windows or Mac).
What if the PDF is password-protected?
You can still insert it as an image or link to it, but you won't be able to convert it to text without entering the password first. If you need the text content, open the PDF in your PDF reader, enter the password, then try the conversion again.