How to Insert PDF Files Into PowerPoint Presentations

This article explains how to add a PDF to your PowerPoint slideshow to create a richer presentation experience. Options include inserting the entire PDF as an object that can be viewed during a slideshow, inserting a picture of a page, adding text from the PDF file, and copying a picture used in the PDF. Instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013; PowerPoint for Microsoft 365; and PowerPoint for Mac.

Insert a PDF as an Object on a PowerPoint Slide

When you want to view the entire PDF file during your PowerPoint presentation, insert the PDF as an object. During your presentation, select the PDF object on the slide and the PDF file opens in a PDF viewer.

1. Open the PowerPoint slide where you want to insert the PDF.

   Make sure the PDF file is not open on your computer.

2. Select Insert > Object to open the Insert Object dialog box.

3. Select Create from File, then select Browse.

4. Open the folder that contains the PDF file you want, choose the PDF file, then select OK.

5. Select OK in the Insert Object dialog box.

6. An icon for the PDF displays on the slide and the PDF file becomes part of the presentation file. To open the PDF file, double-click the image while in Normal view.

Open the PDF During a Slideshow

To open the PDF file during a presentation, attach an action to the image.

1. Make sure PowerPoint is in Normal view. Display the slide with the PDF object.

2. Select the image or icon for the PDF file.

3. Select Insert > Action.

4. Select the Mouse Click tab if you want to open the PDF with a click. Select the Mouse Over tab if you want it to open when you point to the PDF.

5. Select Object Action, then select Open from the drop-down list. In PowerPoint 2019, select Activate Contents.

6. Select OK.

Insert a PDF into PowerPoint as a Picture

If you only want to view the content of one page of a PDF file, add it to a PowerPoint slide as an image.

1. Open the PDF file and display the page you want to insert into PowerPoint.

2. Open PowerPoint and go to the slide where you want to insert the PDF as a picture.

3. Select Insert > Screenshot. All of your available windows are presented, including the open PDF file.

4. Select the PDF file to add it to the slide as an image.

Insert Text from a PDF to PowerPoint

Another way to add a specific section of a PDF to PowerPoint is using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

To insert text from a PDF file:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Reader.

2. Select Tools > Basic > Select.

3. Select the text you want to copy.

4. Select Edit > Copy.

5. Open PowerPoint and display the slide where you want to insert the PDF text.

6. Select Home > Paste. Or press Ctrl+V.

Insert Graphics from a PDF to PowerPoint

To insert a graphic from a PDF file:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Reader.

2. Right-click on the PDF and choose Select Tool.

3. Select the image and press Ctrl+C, or right-click and select Copy Image.

4. Open PowerPoint and display the slide where you want to insert the PDF graphic.

5. Select Home > Paste. Or press Ctrl+V.

Import PDF into PowerPoint for Mac

When you insert a PDF into PowerPoint for Mac as an object, you may receive an error message stating that the file type is not supported or the file is not available. This is because object linking and embedding is not fully implemented in Mac Office applications.

You can insert text and graphics from a PDF in PowerPoint for Mac using the same steps provided above. 

Another option is to select Insert > Hyperlink > Web Page or File, to link to a PDF. You can open the hyperlink during the presentation to display the PDF file.

Import PDF into PowerPoint Online

PDF files cannot be inserted or edited in PowerPoint Online. However, PDFs display as expected when created in another version of PowerPoint.