The three ways to insert a PDF into Word

You can add a PDF to a Word document in three ways: embed it as an image (which shows only the first page), insert it as a linked object (which opens the PDF in a separate window when clicked), or convert the PDF to Word first and then copy the content. Which method you choose depends on whether you need the PDF to be editable, whether you want readers to see all pages, and how large the file is.

The image method is fastest for single-page PDFs or when you only need the first page visible. The linked object method keeps your Word file smaller and works best when the PDF should stay separate. Converting the PDF works when you need the content editable inside Word itself, though it requires an extra step and works better with text-heavy PDFs than image-heavy ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Inserting a PDF as an image shows only the first page but keeps the file size manageable and requires no extra software.
  • Linking to a PDF keeps your Word document smaller and lets readers open the full PDF in their default viewer when they click it.
  • Converting a PDF to Word first lets you edit the content inside Word, though the conversion quality depends on how the PDF was created.
  • Word on Mac and Windows handle PDF insertion the same way, but the menu locations differ slightly between versions.

Insert a PDF as an image (shows first page only)

This is the simplest method and requires no additional software. Open your Word document and place your cursor where you want the PDF to appear. Go to the Insert tab, select Pictures, then choose This Device. Navigate to your PDF file and click Insert. Word will display the first page of the PDF as an image.

The limitation is that only the first page appears in the document. The PDF itself is not editable — it becomes a static image. If your PDF is multiple pages and you need all of them visible, this method will not work. The file size of your Word document will increase by roughly the size of the PDF image, so very large PDFs may slow down your document.

To resize the image, click it and drag the corner handles. To delete it, click it and press Delete. You cannot edit the text inside the PDF image directly within Word.

Link to a PDF so it opens separately

This method keeps your Word file small and lets readers access the full PDF. Place your cursor where you want the link to appear. Go to Insert, then select Link (or press Ctrl+K on Windows, Command+K on Mac). In the dialog box, choose This Device or Browse, navigate to your PDF file, and click Insert or Open.

Word will create a clickable link — usually shown as blue underlined text. You can change the link text by typing in the Display Text field before confirming. When someone clicks the link in your Word document, the PDF opens in their default PDF viewer (usually Adobe Reader or your browser) in a new window.

This approach works well when the PDF should remain a separate file and you do not want to increase your Word document's file size. The PDF stays in its original location on your computer or network, so if you move the Word file to a different folder, the link may break unless you also move the PDF with it.

Convert the PDF to Word, then copy the content

If you need the PDF content to be editable inside Word, convert it first. Open Word and go to File > Open. Navigate to your PDF file and select it. Word will attempt to convert the PDF to an editable .docx file. This process works best with PDFs that contain mostly text and simple formatting.

Once the PDF opens in Word, you will see the content as editable text and objects. You can then copy sections or the entire document and paste them into your existing Word file. Be aware that the conversion quality varies — PDFs with complex layouts, images, or unusual fonts may not convert cleanly, and you may need to manually fix formatting afterward.

This method takes more time than the other two but gives you full control over the content. If the PDF is scanned (an image of a document rather than text), Word cannot convert it into editable text — you would need optical character recognition (OCR) software for that.

Embedding a PDF as an object (Windows only)

Windows users can embed a PDF as an object, which stores the entire PDF inside the Word file. Place your cursor in your document, go to Insert > Object, then select Create from File. Click Browse, find your PDF, and click Insert. Check the Display as Icon box if you want a clickable icon instead of a preview.

When you embed as an object, the PDF becomes part of the Word file itself, so the file size increases significantly. Readers can double-click the embedded PDF to open it, but they need compatible software installed. This method is less common than the others because it creates larger files and does not work on Mac.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the PDF does not appear after insertion, check that the file is not corrupted by opening it in your PDF viewer first. If you inserted it as an image and only see a blank space, the PDF may be image-based (a scan) rather than text-based, and Word cannot display it as an image. Try the linking method instead.

If a linked PDF no longer opens when you click it, the file may have been moved or deleted. Right-click the link, select Edit Link, and update the file path to the PDF's new location. If you are sharing the Word document with others, remember that linked PDFs will only work if the other person also has the PDF file in the same location — embedded or image-based PDFs travel with the document.

On Mac, the Object option does not exist, so use the image or linking methods instead. If you are using an older version of Word (2013 or earlier on Windows), the menu paths may differ slightly — look for Insert > Picture or Insert > Hyperlink instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the PDF text after inserting it into Word?

Not if you inserted it as an image or linked it — both keep the PDF separate and uneditable. Only the conversion method (opening the PDF directly in Word) makes the content editable, and even then the quality depends on how the PDF was created. If you need to edit PDF content regularly, consider using dedicated PDF editing software instead.

What is the difference between inserting as an image and embedding as an object?

Inserting as an image shows the first page only and creates a smaller file. Embedding as an object stores the entire PDF inside Word (Windows only) and creates a much larger file. Embedding lets readers open the full PDF by double-clicking, while image insertion shows only a static preview.

Will the PDF link still work if I move the Word document to a different folder?

Not automatically. Linked PDFs use a file path that breaks if either the Word file or the PDF moves. To keep the link working, move both files together or use a relative path. If you are sharing the document with others, embed the PDF or insert it as an image instead so it travels with the Word file.

Why does my PDF look blurry or pixelated after inserting it as an image?

Word compresses images to keep file size down. If the PDF is very small or has fine details, compression makes it hard to read. Try increasing the size of the image by dragging its corners, or use the linking method so readers see the PDF at full quality in their PDF viewer.

Can I insert multiple pages of a PDF as separate images?

Not directly from Word. You would need to convert the PDF to individual image files first (one per page) using a PDF tool, then insert each image separately. Alternatively, convert the PDF to Word and copy the entire content, which preserves all pages in one document.