The simplest way to add a PDF to your Word document
You can add a PDF to a Word document in three main ways: embed it as an object that opens inside Word, insert it as an image, or link to it so readers can open the file separately. The method you choose depends on whether you want the PDF visible on the page, whether you need readers to edit it, and how large the file is.
The most common approach is to insert the PDF as an image. This shows the PDF content directly in your document and works reliably across different versions of Word. If you need the PDF to remain editable or clickable, embedding it as an object is better, though this method works best when sharing the document with others who also use Word.
Key Takeaways
- Inserting a PDF as an image displays it on the page but converts it to a static picture that cannot be edited or searched.
- Embedding a PDF as an object keeps it as a separate file within your document, but only works reliably when both sender and recipient use Word.
- Linking to a PDF file lets readers open it in their default PDF viewer, which works across all devices but requires the PDF file to stay in the same location.
- File size matters: large PDFs inserted as images can slow down your Word document, while embedded objects take up less space.
Insert a PDF as an image (the most reliable method)
This method converts your PDF into a picture that appears directly in your Word document. It works on both Windows and Mac, and the document will look the same no matter who opens it.
On Windows: Open your Word document and click the location where you want the PDF to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top, then click Pictures and select This Device. Find your PDF file 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 appear; you will need to repeat this step for each page you want to include.
On Mac: Click where you want the PDF to go, then select Insert from the menu bar. Click Pictures and then Picture from File. Navigate to your PDF and click Insert. Mac will show you a preview of the first page before inserting it.
After insertion, you can resize the image by dragging the corners, but you cannot edit the text inside it. If you need to make changes to the PDF content, you must edit the original PDF file and insert it again.
Embed a PDF as an object (keeps it as a separate file)
Embedding treats the PDF as an object within your Word document rather than converting it to an image. Readers can double-click the embedded PDF to open it in their PDF viewer. This method preserves the PDF as a clickable, searchable file, but it only works smoothly when both you and your readers use Word on Windows or Mac.
On Windows: Click where you want the PDF to appear. Go to Insert and select Object (you may need to click the dropdown arrow next to it). In the dialog box that opens, click the Create from File tab. Click Browse, find your PDF, and click Open. Check the box next to Display as icon if you want the PDF to show as a small icon rather than a preview. Click OK.
On Mac: Go to Insert and click Object. Select Create from File, then click Browse to find your PDF. Click Insert, then OK. The PDF will appear as an icon in your document.
When someone opens your Word document and double-clicks the embedded PDF, it will open in their default PDF viewer. The PDF file itself stays attached to the Word document, so the file size of your Word document will increase. If you move or delete the original PDF file after embedding it, the embedded version will still work, but if you chose not to embed a copy, the link may break.
Link to a PDF file (for external files)
Linking is useful when you want readers to open a separate PDF file without embedding it in your document. This keeps your Word file small and lets you update the PDF without editing the Word document. However, the PDF file must stay in the same location, or the link will break.
On Windows: Highlight the text you want to turn into a link. Right-click and select Link, or press Ctrl+K. In the dialog box, click Browse next to "Address" and find your PDF file. Click Open, then OK. The text will now appear as a blue underlined link that opens the PDF when clicked.
On Mac: Highlight your text, then press Command+K. Click Browse in the dialog that appears, find your PDF, and click Open. Click Add to create the link.
If you plan to share your document with others, keep the PDF file in the same folder as your Word document, or upload both to a shared location like OneDrive or Google Drive. This way, when someone opens your Word document on a different computer, the link will still find the PDF.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | What readers see | File size | Works across devices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insert as image | PDF page displayed on the page | Larger (especially multi-page PDFs) | Yes | Single-page PDFs, printed documents, when appearance matters most |
| Embed as object | Icon or preview; double-click to open | Medium (PDF stays attached) | Best on Windows/Mac with Word | Keeping PDFs editable and searchable within Word |
| Link to file | Blue underlined text; click to open | Smallest (no PDF attached) | Yes, if file location stays the same | Large PDFs, documents you plan to update, shared folders |
Troubleshooting common problems
If your inserted PDF appears blurry or low quality, Word may have compressed it. Try inserting it again and right-clicking the image to check if there is a Compress Pictures option. Click it and set the resolution to High Fidelity or Print instead of Screen.
If an embedded PDF link breaks when you share the document, the original PDF file moved or was deleted. Always keep the PDF in the same folder as your Word document, or use a shared cloud location that both you and your readers can access. If you embedded the PDF with the Display as icon option unchecked, Word should have created a copy inside the document, so the link should still work even if the original file moves.
If you are sharing a document with someone who uses an older version of Word or a different program like Google Docs, embedding may not work. In that case, insert the PDF as an image or provide a link instead. Test by opening your document on another device before sending it to make sure the PDF appears the way you expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit text inside a PDF after I insert it into Word?
No. When you insert a PDF as an image, it becomes a picture that cannot be edited. If you need to change the PDF content, edit the original PDF file using a PDF editor, then insert the updated version into your Word document. Embedding the PDF as an object also does not let you edit it directly in Word — you must open it separately to make changes.
What if my PDF has multiple pages and I want all of them in my Word document?
Inserting as an image only shows the first page. You can insert the same PDF multiple times (once per page you want to include), but this creates a large file. A better option is to link to the PDF or embed it as an object, which keeps the entire multi-page file intact. Readers can then scroll through all pages by double-clicking the embedded file.
Will the PDF still work if I move my Word document to a different folder?
It depends on the method. Inserted images and embedded objects stay with the Word document no matter where you move it. Links will break if you move the Word document without also moving the PDF file to the same location. To avoid broken links, keep the PDF and Word document together in the same folder.
How do I make the embedded PDF icon look like a preview instead?
When you embed a PDF, uncheck the Display as icon box in the Object dialog. Word will show a thumbnail preview of the first page instead of a small icon. Readers can still double-click the preview to open the full PDF.
Can I insert a PDF into a Word document on my phone or tablet?
Word for mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android) does not support inserting PDFs as objects or images the same way the desktop version does. You can link to a PDF on OneDrive or SharePoint, but embedding is not available. For full control over how your PDF appears, use Word on a computer.