How to Insert a PDF in PowerPoint?
A PowerPoint presentation may require additional data from other files and supporting documents. Inserting data from MS Word or other file types is easier than copying data from a PDF. Do you want to know how to insert a PDF in PowerPoint in the most efficient way?
During a presentation, supporting material and data should be available for easy access. There is no time for a presenter to browse through different folders to find the PDF. We are going to explore different methods to insert a PDF in PowerPoint presentation.
Adding PDF to a PowerPoint Presentation
Why do you need to add a PDF to your presentation? Can you imagine the hassle of opening different files during a presentation? It will be confusing for the viewers to process data from various files. Inserting a complete PDF or any specific part of the file makes the content delivery optimized and smoother.
In some cases, presenter might be sharing his screen with the audience. Switching between PDF reader and PowerPoint program will affect the user experience. Obviously no one wants that to happen.
It is best and professional approach to insert PDF into your presentation to keep everything in one screen and one program.
Best Methods to Insert PDF in PowerPoint Presentation
There are different options available for adding PDF to a presentation. Every method serves a unique purpose in specific situations. Here are our top recommended methods and best situations to use these methods.
If you need to | You should |
Share the specific part of the PDF file with the viewers in your slides | Take a screenshot of the desired section of the PDF and add it as an image to your slide |
Insert a complete PDF file as supporting material for your presentation | Add the PDF file as an object to make it accessible during presentation |
Share PDF file with the viewers as an additional source of information | Add a link to the PDF file so that participants can access the file via the embedded link |
Now, you know the different scenarios where each method can be useful for inserting PDFs into your PowerPoint presentation. Do you need a step-by-step guide on how to insert and embed PDF into a presentation? No worries, as we are always here to assist you.
Method 1: Add PDF to PowerPoint as an Object
You need the complete PDF file to support your presentation but you don’t want to waste time looking for the file during presentation. Well, the best way to avoid the hassle is to add the file as an object.
The PDF file will appear as an icon on your selected slide and you can instantly open the PDF with double-click on the file.
Step 1: Open the PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to add the PDF file. Before all of this, make sure that PDF file is not open in your computer.
Step 2: From the top menu, go to Insert >> Object.

Step 3: The menu shows the files that you can add and you won’t see PDF format here. So, choose “create from file” option and browse the PDF file from your computer.

Step 4: A PDF icon with the name of the file will appear on your slide. By double-clicking the file icon, you can easily open the full contents of the PDF file.

Method 2: Insert PDF to Presentation as an Image
Imagine you need to insert only one page from the PDF file to the PowerPoint presentation. In this case, adding entire file will overwhelm the viewers with the unnecessary data.
Instead of adding a complete file, take a screenshot of the needed page from a PDF and add that part as an image to the slide of your choice. Here is how to add a PDF as an image to a PowerPoint presentation.
Step 1: Open the PDF file from which you want to add data to your presentation.
Step 2: Go to PowerPoint presentation and choose the slide where you want to add image, go to Insert >> Screenshot >> Screen clipping.

Note: You will be able to view the other opened windows that will be added to PowerPoint. Make sure to keep the desired PDF page open next to the PowerPoint program.
Step 3: After selecting the screen clipping, drag the pointer to select the part of the PDF file that you want to add to the slide.
Step 4: Your selected part of the PDF file will be added to the slide as image and now you can adjust, drag or resize the image as needed.

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Conclusion- How to Insert a PDF in PowerPoint?
With different methods available, adding PDF as image or an object are the most useful options. There might be other possibilities for inserting PDF but these two solve almost all problems that a common user might encounter. If you face any problem, leave a comment or explore other available guides on Apps Do Wonder Blog section.