How to Insert a PDF into PowerPoint

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Inserting a PDF file into a PowerPoint presentation can be useful for displaying charts, images, or other reference material during a slideshow. There are several methods to embed a PDF, each with their own pros and cons.

Methods for Inserting a PDF into PowerPoint

Insert as an Object

The most straightforward way to add a PDF is to insert it as an object. Here are the steps:

  1. Open the PowerPoint presentation and select the slide you want to add the PDF to
  2. Go to the Insert tab and click Object in the Text section
  3. In the Insert Object dialog box, select Create from File
  4. Click Browse to locate and select the PDF file
  5. Click OK

Once inserted, you can resize and position the PDF object within the slide as needed. Double-clicking the object will launch the PDF in your computer’s default PDF viewer.

Pros:

  • Simple process
  • Retains vector quality on zoom

Cons:

  • Can’t scroll through multiple pages
  • Limited editability

Insert as Image

You can also insert a PDF page as an image into PowerPoint:

  1. Open both the PDF and PowerPoint presentation
  2. Select the desired PDF page
  3. Switch to PowerPoint, go to the Insert tab, and click Screenshot > Screen Clipping
  4. Click and drag to select the area of the PDF you want to capture
  5. The selection will appear as an image you can position and resize

Pros:

  • Can scroll through pages by adding multiple images
  • More editability of images

Cons:

  • Loses vector quality when zooming in
  • Not linked to original PDF

Insert Link to PDF

Rather than embed the entire contents, you can simply insert a hyperlink to the PDF:

  1. Type the text you want to link from in the PowerPoint slide
  2. Select the text and go to Insert > Link
  3. Choose Place in This Document and select the PDF file
  4. The text will now open the file when clicked during the presentation

Pros:

  • Smaller file size
  • Viewer can access full PDF capabilities

Cons:

  • Requires PDF viewer to be installed
  • Extra clicks to open file

Tips for Inserting PDFs

  • Verify the PDF does not contain sensitive information before inserting
  • Use a consistent PDF insertion method throughout your presentation
  • If linking to a file, make sure the link path remains valid
  • Test that the embedded PDF appears and functions as expected
  • Ensure the PDF reader launches quickly from your presentation
  • Use a PDF editing tool to reduce file size before inserting
  • Insert only what’s needed from a PDF rather than the entire document

Converting PowerPoints to PDF

You can also go the other way and save your PowerPoint presentations as PDF files:

  1. From the File menu, choose Export > Create PDF/XPS Document
  2. Select a save location and enter a file name
  3. Click Publish to output the presentation as a PDF

PowerPoint will convert all the slides, text, images, shapes, and other elements into an interactive PDF document.

Some tips for this process:

  • Verify all fonts, images, and elements appear correctly before publishing
  • Use built-in PowerPoint tools like Compress Pictures to reduce size
  • Check the exported PDF in a PDF reader before distribution
  • Set PDF export options to maximize quality:
    • Standard (publishing online)
    • Minimum size (printing)
    • ISO 19005-1 compliant (archiving)

By mastering various methods for integrating PDFs into PowerPoint and vice versa, you can easily supplement your presentations with reference documents without compromising quality or usability.

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