There are many different formats for different applications. Google Slides can easily convert a PPTX document to its own format, but PDF still lives mainly within the realm of Adobe Acrobat. This limitation makes both formats rather difficult to combine.
However, we can leverage a hyperlink in our slides to directly connect Google Slides with a different kind of document. And since most browsers can run multiple tabs simultaneously, the switch between the two would be seamless, just like clicking a link in a web page will lead you to another page.
In this guide, we will look into how to link a PDF document from Google Drive to a Google Slides presentation.
1. First, go to Google Drive. Then, click New > File upload.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 3](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/file-upload-1-700x427.jpg)
2. Select the PDF file you want to use.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 4](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/upload-pdf-700x432.jpg)
3. Once uploaded, right-click on it and hit Get link.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 5](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/get-link-700x529.jpg)
4. Click Copy link and Done. You may also want to change the permission of who can see the document online.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 6](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/copy-link-1.jpg)
5. Now, open a Google Slides document.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 7](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/open-google-slides-700x394.jpg)
6. Select a piece of text or a picture, then click Insert link.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 8](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/insert-link-1-700x373.jpg)
7. Paste the PDF link, and then click Apply.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 9](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/apply-1-700x443.jpg)
8. This text is now linked with the PDF document. When clicked, it will launch you to the file.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 10](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pdf-link-created-700x430.jpg)
9. Additionally, a text-based link can be modified easily. You may replace its blue color with something that matches the whole slide.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 11](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hyperlink-color-700x441.jpg)
10. And removing the underline is possible too.
![How to Link a PDF Document in Google Slides 12](https://vegaslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/underline-700x436.jpg)
Unlike PowerPoint which can quickly link a local document to a presentation, Google Slides was built for the web from the beginning. Therefore, PDF and other file formats have to be stored in the cloud before they can link with the service.