The fastest way to add a PDF to Word
The simplest method is to insert the PDF as an image. Open your Word document, go to the Insert tab, click Pictures, then This Device, and select your PDF file. Word will convert the first page of the PDF into an image and place it in your document. This works on both Windows and Mac, and the image stays embedded in the Word file.
If you need multiple pages from the PDF or want to keep the PDF as a separate file rather than converting it to an image, you can instead insert it as an object or embed it as a link. Each method has different trade-offs depending on whether you plan to edit the content, share the file, or print it.
Key Takeaways
- Inserting a PDF as a picture converts only the first page to an image and works on Windows and Mac without extra software.
- Embedding a PDF as an object keeps all pages intact but makes the Word file much larger and may not display correctly on all devices.
- Linking to a PDF instead of embedding it keeps your Word file small, but the PDF must stay in the same folder for the link to work.
- If you need to edit PDF text inside Word, you will need to convert the PDF to a different format first, such as by opening it in Word directly.
Insert a PDF as a picture (one page only)
This is the most common approach and works when you only need the first page of the PDF or when you want a simple, clean result. The PDF becomes a picture inside your Word document, so it will not change if you later modify the original PDF file.
On Windows, click the Insert tab at the top of Word, then click Pictures and select This Device. Navigate to your PDF file and click Insert. On Mac, the steps are the same: Insert tab, then Pictures, then This Device. Word will display the first page as an image. You can then resize it by dragging the corners, crop it, or apply picture effects like borders or shadows.
The downside is that only the first page appears. If your PDF has multiple pages, you will only see page one. Also, if the PDF contains text, you cannot select or copy that text once it is converted to a picture — it becomes part of the image itself.
Embed a PDF as an object (all pages)
Embedding keeps all pages of the PDF inside your Word document. When someone opens the Word file, they can see all pages of the PDF without needing the original file. However, this method makes your Word file significantly larger, and the PDF may not display the same way on every computer.
To embed a PDF, go to Insert, then click Object (on Windows, this is under the Text group; on Mac, look for it in the Insert menu). A dialog box will open. Click Create from File, then Browse to find your PDF. Make sure the box labeled Display as Icon is unchecked if you want to see the PDF content. Click Insert.
The embedded PDF will appear in your document. Readers can double-click it to open it, but they cannot edit it directly inside Word. If you embed a large PDF, your Word file size can grow by several megabytes, which may cause problems if you need to email the document or upload it to a shared drive with size limits.
Link to a PDF instead of embedding it
Linking keeps your Word file small because the PDF stays separate. When someone opens your Word document, they see a clickable link that opens the PDF in their default PDF reader. This works well for documents you plan to share via email or a shared folder, as long as the PDF stays in the same location.
To add a link, select the text or image you want to turn into a link. Go to Insert, then Link (or press Ctrl+K on Windows, Command+K on Mac). In the dialog, click This Device or Browse, find your PDF file, and click Insert. The selected text will now be underlined and colored, showing it is a link.
The main risk with linking is that if you move the PDF to a different folder or delete it, the link will break and readers will get an error. If you plan to move files around or share the Word document with others, embedding or converting to a picture is safer than linking.
Open a PDF directly in Word to edit it
Word can open PDF files directly, which lets you edit the text and layout as if it were a Word document. This is useful if you have a PDF that was originally created from a Word file or another editable source, because the text will be selectable and editable.
Go to File, then Open, and navigate to your PDF file. Select it and click Open. Word will convert the PDF into an editable document. Keep in mind that the conversion is not always perfect — complex layouts, images, or special formatting may not transfer exactly. Once you have edited the file, you can save it as a Word document (.docx) or back to PDF format.
This method does not insert the PDF into an existing document; instead, it opens the PDF as its own file. If you need to add the edited content to another Word document, you will need to copy and paste it or insert it using one of the methods described earlier.
Comparing the four methods
| Method | File Size Impact | All Pages Visible | Text Editable | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insert as Picture | Small increase | First page only | No | Single-page PDFs or when you only need a preview |
| Embed as Object | Large increase | Yes | No | Sharing complete PDFs without separate files |
| Link to PDF | No increase | Yes (in separate window) | No | Keeping Word file small with PDFs in same folder |
| Open PDF in Word | Depends on save format | Yes | Yes | Editing PDF content as a Word document |
Troubleshooting common problems
If the PDF does not appear after you insert it, the file may be corrupted or in an unusual format. Try opening the PDF in your default PDF reader first to confirm it works. If it opens fine there but not in Word, try converting the PDF to an image using free online tools, then insert that image instead.
If your Word file becomes too large after embedding a PDF, consider using the link method instead, or break the PDF into smaller pieces and insert only the pages you need. If you are sharing the document with others and links are breaking, switch to embedding or converting to pictures so the content stays with the Word file.
On Mac, if you cannot find the Object option, check that you are using a recent version of Word. Older versions of Word for Mac have different menu layouts. You can also try inserting the PDF as a picture instead, which works the same way on both platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I insert only specific pages from a PDF, not the whole thing?
If you use the picture method, only the first page inserts automatically. To insert other pages, you will need to open the PDF in a separate program, export individual pages as images, and then insert those images into Word. Alternatively, open the PDF in Word directly, delete the pages you do not need, and then copy the remaining content into your main document.
What happens to the PDF if I edit the Word document after inserting it?
If you inserted the PDF as a picture or embedded object, editing the Word document will not change the original PDF file. The PDF content is now part of the Word file. If you linked to the PDF instead, the original file remains separate, so changes to the original PDF will be reflected the next time someone opens the link.
Why is my Word file so large after I embedded a PDF?
Embedded PDFs add their full file size to your Word document. A 5 MB PDF will make your Word file roughly 5 MB larger. If file size is a problem, use the link method instead, or insert only the first page as a picture. You can also compress images in Word by going to Picture Format, then Compress Pictures.
Can I edit text inside an embedded PDF without opening it separately?
No. Embedded PDFs and picture insertions are not editable inside Word. To edit PDF text, open the PDF directly in Word using File > Open, make your changes, and then copy the edited content back into your main document if needed.
Does the link method work if I email the Word document to someone else?
Only if you also send the PDF file and the recipient keeps it in the same folder as the Word document. If the PDF is not in the expected location, the link will break. For sharing via email, embedding the PDF or converting it to a picture is more reliable.