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How to Insert a PDF into Word for Free: Embed or Link a PDF File

· 6 min read

Quick summary: To insert a PDF into a Word document, go to Insert → Object → Create from File → browse to the PDF → click OK. This embeds the PDF as a clickable icon inside the Word document. To show the first page as an image instead, check “Display as icon” unchecked and select “Link to file” if you want it to update automatically. To insert the PDF’s text content into Word, open the PDF in Word first (File → Open), copy the text, and paste it.

Inserting a PDF into Word means something different depending on what you need: an embedded file attachment (a clickable icon), a visual preview of the PDF page, or the actual text content from the PDF placed into the document. All three methods are free and built into Microsoft Word. After extracting text from a PDF, you can also upload it to our free AI PDF reader to summarize or search before pasting it into Word.

Method 1: Insert PDF as an embedded object (clickable icon)

This inserts the PDF as an embedded file — the reader can double-click the icon inside the Word document to open the PDF:

  1. Open your Word document.
  2. Click where you want to insert the PDF.
  3. Go to Insert tab → Object (in the Text group on the right side of the ribbon).
  4. Click the “Create from File” tab.
  5. Click Browse and navigate to the PDF file.
  6. Click Insert.
  7. Click OK.

A PDF icon appears in the Word document at the cursor position. Double-clicking the icon opens the PDF in the default PDF viewer.

To display a custom icon or label:

  • Check “Display as icon” before clicking OK.
  • Click “Change Icon…” to choose a different icon or change the label text.

To link instead of embed:

  • Check “Link to file” — the Word document stores a reference to the PDF’s location rather than embedding a copy. If the PDF changes, the embedded version updates automatically. This keeps the Word file smaller but requires the PDF to remain at the same path.

Method 2: Insert PDF as an image (first page preview)

This converts the first page of the PDF to an image and inserts it into the document — useful for showing what the PDF looks like:

Option A: Screenshot method

  1. Open the PDF in any viewer (Edge, Chrome, Preview).
  2. Take a screenshot of the first page.
  3. In Word, go to Insert → Pictures → This Device and insert the screenshot image.
  4. Resize and position as needed.

Option B: Export PDF page as image first

  1. Export the PDF page as a JPG or PNG — see PDF to JPG for free or PDF to PNG for free.
  2. In Word: Insert → Pictures → select the exported image.

This gives a higher quality image than a screenshot, especially for text-heavy PDFs.

Method 3: Insert PDF text content into Word

To paste the actual text from the PDF into the Word document as editable text:

Copy and paste

  1. Open the PDF in any viewer.
  2. Press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select all text.
  3. Press Ctrl+C / Cmd+C to copy.
  4. In Word, click where you want to insert the text.
  5. Press Ctrl+V / Cmd+V to paste.

Formatting may be lost — the text pastes as plain text or with basic formatting depending on the viewer.

Open PDF directly in Word (best quality)

  1. In Word: File → Open → select the PDF.
  2. Word converts the PDF to an editable document (this is the same as opening a PDF in Word).
  3. Select the content you want, copy it, and paste into your target document.

This method preserves more formatting (headings, tables, lists) than plain copy-paste.

Which method to use?

GoalBest method
Attach the PDF so readers can open itMethod 1 — embedded object
Show what the PDF looks like visuallyMethod 2 — insert as image
Edit or reuse the PDF’s text in WordMethod 3 — open in Word and copy
Keep Word file small (PDF stays external)Method 1 with “Link to file” checked

How to resize or reposition the embedded PDF icon

After inserting as an object (Method 1):

  • Move: Click the icon once to select it, then drag it.
  • Resize: Drag the corner handles.
  • Wrap text: Right-click the icon → “Wrap Text” → choose Square, Tight, or In Line with Text to control how document text flows around the icon.
  • Rename the label: Right-click → “Object” → change the label in the Display As Icon dialog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I insert multiple PDF pages into Word?

Method 1 (embedded object) inserts the entire PDF — all pages are accessible when the reader opens the file. Method 2 (image) inserts only the first page per image; to show multiple pages, export each page as an image and insert each separately. Method 3 (text) can paste all pages of text at once.

Why does the PDF look blurry when inserted as an image?

The screenshot or export was taken at too low a resolution. Re-export the PDF page at 150–300 DPI — see PDF to JPG for free for how to set DPI in Ghostscript or Preview.

Does embedding a PDF make the Word file much larger?

Yes — the entire PDF is stored inside the .docx file when embedded. A 5 MB PDF adds roughly 5 MB to the Word file. Linking instead of embedding (“Link to file”) keeps the Word file small, but the PDF must remain at the same file path.

Can I insert a password-protected PDF into Word?

Not directly. Remove the password first — see how to remove a password from a PDF for free — then insert the unlocked PDF.

How do I insert a PDF into Google Docs?

Google Docs does not support embedded PDF objects natively. Workarounds: (1) insert a screenshot of the PDF page as an image; (2) convert the PDF to a Google Doc first (see how to convert a PDF to Google Doc for free) and copy the content; (3) attach the PDF as a comment or link.

Is there a difference between inserting a PDF and opening a PDF in Word?

Yes. Opening a PDF in Word (File → Open) converts the entire PDF to an editable Word document — the PDF becomes a Word file. Inserting a PDF into an existing Word document (Insert → Object) keeps the PDF as a separate embedded file inside the .docx without converting it.

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