The three ways to put a PDF into Word

You can insert a PDF into a Word document in three different ways: embed it as an image so it displays on the page, insert it as a linked object that opens in another program when clicked, or convert the PDF to Word format first and paste the content directly. Which method you choose depends on whether you want readers to see the PDF content in the document itself, open it separately, or edit the content as part of the Word file.

The image method works on Windows and Mac. The linked object method works on Windows only. Converting to Word format works best when the PDF contains mostly text, though the layout may shift during conversion.

Key Takeaways

  • Inserting a PDF as an image embeds it in the document so readers see it on the page, but they cannot edit the text inside it.
  • Inserting a PDF as a linked object lets readers click it to open the PDF in a separate program, and works only on Windows.
  • Converting a PDF to Word format first lets you edit the content as regular text, but works best for text-heavy PDFs and may require layout fixes.
  • File size matters: embedding large PDFs as images can make your Word document slow to open and difficult to share.

Insert a PDF as an image on Windows and Mac

This method embeds the PDF as a picture on the page. Readers will see it displayed in the document, but cannot click into it or edit the text. This works well when you want to show a PDF's content without letting people interact with it.

On Windows, go to the Insert tab, select Pictures, then choose This Device. Navigate to your PDF file and click Insert. Word will convert the first page of the PDF to an image. If your PDF has multiple pages, only the first page appears in the document.

On Mac, click Insert in the menu bar, select Picture, then Picture from File. Find your PDF and click Insert. The same single-page limitation applies.

After inserting, you can resize the image by dragging its corners. Right-click (or Control-click on Mac) to crop, rotate, or adjust brightness and contrast. The PDF content is now part of the Word file, so the document size will increase.

Insert a PDF as a linked object on Windows only

This method inserts a representation of the PDF that readers can click to open in their default PDF reader. The PDF itself stays separate from the Word document, so your Word file stays smaller. This approach works only on Windows.

Go to Insert, select Object (you may need to click the arrow next to it to see the option), then choose Create from File. Click Browse, find your PDF, and click Insert. Check the box labeled Link to file if you want the Word document to always show the current version of the PDF. Leave it unchecked if you want a snapshot of the PDF as it exists now.

When someone opens the Word document, they will see an icon or preview representing the PDF. Double-clicking it opens the PDF in their PDF reader. If you checked Link to file, changes to the original PDF will show up in Word the next time the document is opened. If you did not check it, the Word document keeps a copy of how the PDF looked when you inserted it.

Convert the PDF to Word format first

If you need to edit the PDF content as part of your Word document, converting it to Word format first is the best approach. This works best for PDFs that contain mostly text. PDFs with complex layouts, images, or unusual fonts may not convert cleanly.

Microsoft Word has a built-in converter. On Windows, go to File, click Open, navigate to your PDF file, and select it. Word will ask if you want to convert the PDF. Click OK. The PDF opens as an editable Word document. You can then copy sections of it and paste them into your main document, or save the converted version and continue working in it.

On Mac, open Word, go to File, click Open, find your PDF, and select it. Word converts it the same way. The conversion is not always perfect — tables may break apart, columns may stack, and spacing may shift. After conversion, review the layout and fix any problems before using the content.

Alternatively, you can use online PDF-to-Word converters, though this means uploading your file to a third-party website. Some converters are free; others charge. Check the privacy policy before uploading sensitive documents.

When to use each method

Use the image method when you want readers to see the PDF content but not interact with it — for example, displaying a signed contract or a certificate. This works on both Windows and Mac, and the PDF becomes part of the Word file.

Use the linked object method when the PDF is large or you expect it to change. Readers can click to open it in their PDF reader, and if you linked to the file, they will always see the current version. This method only works on Windows.

Use the conversion method when you need to edit the PDF content as part of your Word document, or when you want to extract specific text from the PDF. This works best for text-heavy PDFs. Plan to spend time fixing layout problems after conversion.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Word will not insert your PDF as an image, the file may be corrupted or in an unusual format. Try opening the PDF in your PDF reader first to confirm it works. If it does, try saving it again and inserting the new copy.

If a linked object does not open when clicked, the original PDF file may have been moved or deleted. On Windows, right-click the object, select Edit Link, and update the file path to the PDF's new location. If you cannot find the file, you will need to re-insert it.

If a converted PDF has layout problems, try converting it again and checking the result before pasting content into your main document. Some PDFs convert better than others depending on how they were created. If the conversion is too messy, using the image method instead may be faster.

If your Word document becomes very large after inserting a PDF as an image, consider using the linked object method instead, or breaking the document into separate files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I insert multiple pages of a PDF into Word?

The image method only inserts the first page. To add all pages, you can insert the PDF multiple times (once per page), but this is tedious for long documents. The linked object method shows only one icon, so readers must open the full PDF separately. Converting to Word format is the best option if you need all pages in an editable document.

Will the PDF stay editable after I insert it into Word?

No, unless you convert it to Word format first. Inserting as an image or linked object preserves the PDF as-is. Only the conversion method lets you edit the content directly in Word.

What happens to the PDF if I move the Word document to a different folder?

If you used the linked object method, the link may break because Word cannot find the PDF in its original location. If you embedded it as an image, nothing happens — the image is part of the Word file. If you converted it, there is no separate PDF file to worry about.

Can I insert a PDF on a Mac?

Yes, you can insert it as an image on Mac using Insert > Picture > Picture from File. You can also convert PDFs to Word format on Mac. The linked object method does not work on Mac.

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

Embedding a PDF as an image adds the file size of that image to your document. Large PDFs create large images. Use the linked object method instead to keep the Word file small, or compress the image after inserting it by right-clicking and selecting Compress Picture.