Learning how to insert PDF into Word can help when you're preparing reports, proposals, contracts, assignments, manuals, or other documents that need supporting files. You can insert a PDF as an object, image, link, or convert its content into an editable Word document.
If you're wondering how to insert PDF into Word, there are several ways to do it. You can embed an entire PDF as an object, display a PDF page as an image, link to the original file, copy content from the PDF, or convert the PDF into editable Word content.
The right method depends on what you want the reader to see and whether you need the PDF content to remain editable.
In this guide, you'll learn five easy ways to insert a PDF into Word, the difference between inserting and converting a PDF, and what to do when Word doesn't display the PDF correctly.
Quick Answer: How to Insert PDF Into Word
To insert a PDF into Microsoft Word as an object:
Open your Word document.
Place the cursor where you want to add the PDF.
Select Insert.
Choose Object.
Select Create from File.
Browse for your PDF.
Select the file and confirm the insertion.
Depending on your version of Microsoft Word and your operating system, the available options and menu names may differ slightly.
If your real goal is to edit the PDF content inside Word, inserting the PDF isn't necessarily the best approach. Instead, convert the PDF into an editable DOCX document using the OneFileKit PDF to Word Converter.
What's the Difference Between Inserting and Converting a PDF?
Before choosing a method, it's important to understand the difference.
Inserting a PDF into Word
When you insert or embed a PDF, you're adding the PDF file—or a representation of it—to an existing Word document.
This can be useful when the PDF is supporting material for the main document.
Converting a PDF to Word
Converting attempts to reconstruct the PDF's contents as editable Word content.
For example:
PDF → conversion → editable DOCX
If you need to rewrite paragraphs, modify tables, change headings, or reuse the content, conversion is usually the more appropriate option.
Method 1: Insert a PDF Into Word as an Object
One of the most direct methods is to embed the PDF as an object in your Word document.
Step 1: Open Your Word Document
Open Microsoft Word and load the document where you want to add the PDF.
Place your cursor at the desired location.
Step 2: Open the Insert Menu
Select the Insert tab in Microsoft Word.
Look for the Object option. Depending on your Word version and screen size, it may appear within another menu or group.
Step 3: Choose Create From File
Open the Object dialog and select:
Create from File
Then choose Browse and locate the PDF on your computer.
Step 4: Select the PDF
Choose the PDF you want to insert and confirm your selection.
Word will add the file to the document using the available object-embedding behavior.
Step 5: Save the Word Document
Save your Word document after confirming that the inserted PDF appears correctly.
When should you use this method?
Embedding can be useful for:
Reports with supporting documents
Business proposals
Project documentation
Contracts and attachments
Reference material
Remember that embedding a PDF does not necessarily make its contents directly editable as normal Word text.
Method 2: Insert a PDF Into Word as an Icon
Sometimes you don't want an entire PDF page taking up space inside your Word document.
Instead, you can display the embedded file as an icon.
Follow the same general process:
Insert → Object → Create from File → Browse
After selecting the PDF, choose the option to display the file as an icon if your version of Word provides it.
The document can then show a compact PDF icon rather than a page preview.
When is this useful?
This approach works well when:
The PDF is an attachment.
Readers don't need an immediate preview.
You want a cleaner Word document.
The PDF contains many pages.
You're including supporting material.
For example, a business report could contain the main analysis in Word and attach a detailed PDF report as an embedded object.
Method 3: Insert a PDF Page Into Word as an Image
If you want the reader to see the PDF page directly inside the Word document, converting the relevant page to an image can be a practical option.
This is particularly useful for:
Charts
Diagrams
Certificates
Forms
Illustrations
Reference pages
Step 1: Convert the PDF Page to an Image
Convert the required PDF page into JPG or PNG format.
OneFileKit provides dedicated tools for this:
or
Step 2: Open Microsoft Word
Place your cursor where you want the PDF page to appear.
Step 3: Insert the Image
Choose:
Insert → Pictures
Select the JPG or PNG generated from the PDF.
Step 4: Adjust the Image
Resize and position the image to fit your document.
You may also be able to adjust Word's text-wrapping options depending on how you want surrounding text to behave.
Important limitation
A PDF page inserted as an image is not normal editable text.
You can resize or reposition the image, but changing words inside it requires a different workflow.
If you need editable content, convert the PDF to Word instead.
Method 4: Add a Link to a PDF in Word
You don't always need to embed the actual PDF.
If the PDF is hosted somewhere accessible to your intended readers, you can link to it from your Word document.
For example:
Download the complete PDF report
You can then add the PDF's URL as a hyperlink.
Why use a link?
Linking can help when:
The PDF is available online.
You don't want to increase the Word document's file size.
The PDF is supplementary information.
Readers only need the file occasionally.
However, remember that links can stop working if the PDF is moved or deleted.
For important documents, consider how long the destination will remain available before relying on an external link.
Method 5: Convert PDF to Editable Word Content
Sometimes people search for how to add a PDF to a Word document when what they actually need is the text and other content from the PDF inside Word.
In that situation, converting the PDF is often better than embedding it.
Step 1: Open the PDF to Word Converter
Go to the OneFileKit PDF to Word Converter.
Step 2: Upload the PDF
Choose your PDF or drag and drop it into the upload area.
Step 3: Convert PDF to DOCX
Start the conversion and wait while the document is processed.
Step 4: Download the Word File
Download the resulting editable DOCX document.
You can then open the converted file and copy the required text, tables, images, or other content into your main Word document.
This approach is particularly useful when you need to edit or reuse PDF content, rather than simply attach the original file.
How to Insert Multiple PDF Pages Into Word
If you need several pages from a PDF to appear visually inside a Word document, you have a few options.
For pages that should remain visually similar to the PDF, convert the required pages into images and insert them sequentially.
For content that needs editing, convert the PDF into Word and copy the required sections.
For a PDF that simply needs to accompany the document, embed the complete file as an object instead.
Choose based on what the reader needs to do with the content.
How to Add a PDF to Word Without Losing Quality
Quality matters particularly when a PDF contains:
Charts
Small text
Screenshots
Diagrams
Detailed graphics
Tables
If you're inserting a PDF page as an image, use a sufficiently high-quality JPG or PNG.
Avoid repeatedly resizing and recompressing the same image, as this can reduce visual quality.
For text that needs to remain editable, use PDF-to-Word conversion rather than inserting screenshots of the text.
For highly complex PDFs, always compare the result with the original document after conversion.
Can You Copy a PDF Into Word?
Yes, but the best method depends on the PDF.
If the PDF contains selectable text, you may be able to copy a section and paste it into Word.
This works well for simple paragraphs but may produce problems with:
Fonts
Tables
Columns
Images
Lists
Spacing
Page structure
For a small amount of text, copy and paste may be enough.
For an entire document, PDF-to-Word conversion is generally more practical.
Why Won't My PDF Insert Into Word?
Several issues can prevent a PDF from being inserted correctly.
The PDF Is Password Protected
Security restrictions may prevent certain actions.
Only remove restrictions or modify protected documents when you're authorized to do so.
The PDF Is Too Large
Embedding a large PDF can significantly increase the size of the Word document.
Consider linking to the PDF or reducing its file size first.
You can use the OneFileKit Compress PDF tool when appropriate.
Microsoft Word Behaves Differently on Your Device
Features can vary between:
Word for Windows
Word for Mac
Word for the web
Mobile versions of Word
Different Microsoft Office releases
If you can't find the Object option, check whether your particular version supports the workflow you're trying to use.
The PDF Contains Complex Content
Forms, multimedia, unusual fonts, security settings, and other complex elements can affect how a PDF behaves when embedded or converted.
Insert PDF vs Convert PDF to Word: Which Should You Choose?
What you want to doBetter approachAttach the complete PDFEmbed as an objectShow a compact attachmentDisplay as an iconShow a PDF page visuallyConvert page to JPG/PNGSend readers to an online PDFAdd a hyperlinkEdit PDF textConvert PDF to WordReuse tables or paragraphsConvert to DOCXAdd one short text passageCopy and pasteInclude supporting documentationEmbed or link
The important question is:
Do you want readers to access the PDF, see the PDF, or edit its contents?
Once you know that, choosing the right method becomes much easier.
Final Thoughts
There isn't one best way to insert a PDF into Word because different methods solve different problems.
If you simply need to attach the PDF, embed it as an object or icon. If you want readers to see a specific PDF page, converting that page to an image can work well. If you only need to reference an online document, add a hyperlink.
But if your goal is to edit or reuse the content inside the PDF, conversion is usually the better choice.
You can use the OneFileKit PDF to Word Converter to turn your PDF into an editable DOCX document directly from your browser.
