3 Quick Ways | How to Insert PDF into Excel in 2024

Sometimes you may need to use a PDF file as the attachment for an Excel document. But most people perhaps don't know how to insert PDF into excel. This post will introduce easy and effective ways to embed PDF in Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, and Excel 2016.

When you are preparing a presentation or delivering a report, references to statistics are essential. To save your time and energy, it would be a good choice to insert all the data files, including PDFs, into a single Excel. To some degree, importing PDF into Excel can make your Excel spreadsheet detailed and accurate.

This post is for those who are not familiar with the ways to insert PDF into Excel. The tutorials will guide you to import PDF to Excel with built-in tools and offer you alternative methods. Come and follow the steps.

Method 1. How to Insert PDF into Excel as Object 

The first way is inserting PDF into Excel as an object. This function is embedded in Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 365, and other versions. Merits of this type of method are evident - no third-party software is included, no money is charged, and both Mac and Windows users can gain access to this method. Next, you know how to insert a PDF into Excel without losing formatting.

Steps to Insert PDF in Excel as An Object:

Step 1. Open your Excel spreadsheet and navigate to the "Insert" tab.

Step 2. Then, select the "Object" option in the "Text" section in the right corner.

Step 3. Choose "Create from file" and browse your folder to select the PDF you want to insert in the popping-up window.

Step 4. Click on the "OK" button to import the PDF into your Excel document as an attachment.

Method 2. How to Insert PDF into Excel with "Hyperlink" Feature  

The second method is not as easy as the first one. Microsoft Excel has a not very well-known feature. You can add a hyperlink to a picture, and the link can help you open a file when you click on it. In other words, you can first insert a picture into Excel and link the picture to the PDF file you want to import. When you want to display the PDF file, you need to click on the picture with hyperlink and confirm your choice.

How to Embed a PDF in Excel by Creating a Hyperlink:

Step 1. Open your preferred spreadsheet.

Step 2. On the "Insert" tab, click the "Pictures" option and insert an image into Excel.

Step 3. Right-click the picture embedded into the Excel and select "Link."

Step 4. Now you can choose a PDF file and link it to the picture.

Method 3. How to Embed PDF in Excel After Converting into Picture 

As mentioned above, Microsoft Excel supports inserting pictures into the document, and you can also take advantage of this feature to embed PDF into Excel. First, you need to convert the PDF into image format, such as PNG, JPG, etc. Then, the images converted from PDF can be inserted into the Excel document.

This method is relatively complex comparing with the above ones, but it's really suitable for people who want to display the PDF content directly and intuitively.

How to Insert PDF into Excel After Converting:

Step 1. Launch Microsoft Excel and go to the "Insert" tab.

Step 2. Click on "Pictures" > "This Device..." to select the converted picture.

Step 3. Double-click the picture you want to insert, and then it will be added to the Excel document.

Special Way: Inserting PDF into Excel - Converting PDF to Excel

This method shows you how to insert a PDF file in Excel with simple steps. However, to deal with a PDF filled with data, the best way is to convert it to Excel directly. Then, you can edit the data in Excel without any hassle.

Tool 1. EaseUS PDF Editor

This alternative method requires a powerful PDF converter to turn Excel into other formats. If you want to find the best PDF converter for beginners, EaseUS PDF Editor is a good choice. This software supports many frequently-used document and image formats, including Word, Excel, PNG, JPG, etc.

Apart from convert PDF to Excel, you can also edit PDF before or after the conversion. Many helpful editing tools are provided. For instance, you can extract images from PDF without a hassle and create many types of PDF forms. It can even allow you to encrypt the PDF with a password so that others will never open it without your permission.

Steps to Convert PDF to Excel Using EaseUS PDF Editor:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS PDF Editor and click "Convert from PDF". Then, import the PDF file that you want to convert. If the PDF is password secured, you need to enter the password to unlock it first.

Step 2. Choose the "Output format" and "Output folder". You can choose to convert the PDF to Word, Excel, PPT, HTML, PNG, etc. Then, click "Convert" to start converting. You may also click "Add file(s)" to import more PDF files.

Step 3. Then, wait for conversion. When the file is converted, you will see the exported file in the next window.

Tool 2. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a well-known PDF tool for its strong ability to edit and read PDF. Using Adobe to insert PDF is a more desirable way due to its multiple and powerful functions, especially when you want to insert an intact PDF into Excel (Excel only extracts the table from the PDF you choose, other content will be ignored).

Steps to Extract Table from PDF and Convert to Excel:

Step 1. Open Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2. Click on "File," then Export to, hover cursor at "Spreadsheet," and finally, choose "Microsoft Excel Workbook."

Step 3. You should name your file in the pop-up window and choose a saving path for your Excel-format PDF file.

How to Edit PDF Before Inserting PDF into Excel

If you are interested in editing your PDF files, a practical PDF editor like EaseUS PDF Editor is necessary. 

This software is especially suitable for beginners as its user interface is intuitive so that everyone can utilize it effortlessly. It offers you PDF editing tools ranging from elementary ones to advanced ones. You are able to add or delete text and images in the PDF, even it's a scanned file. To make the inactive scanned PDF editable, this software offers you the OCR function. Besides, it allows you to manage PDF pages with ease, such as adding a watermark or inserting page numbers into the PDF.

How to Edit PDF Before Inserting or Converting:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS PDF Editor and click "Edit". Then, choose and import the PDF you want to edit from your computer.

Step 2. There are many editing tools. You may choose to add text, image, link, watermark, set background, edit header & Footer, etc. Always remember to save the changes with the "Save" button.

Step 3. When you made all the changes, click "File" > "Save as" to save it to your computer. You need to give the new PDF file a name and file location, and click "Save" in the next window to finish.

Conclusion

This post introduces different ways for inserting PDF into Excel. In addition to that, there are some alternative methods you can use to get an Excel document from PDF. Which is the best solution for you? Don't hesitate to have a try.

FAQs About How to Insert PDF into Excel

This part may be helpful if you want to know more about embedding a PDF in Excel.

1. Why can't I insert PDF to Excel?

Possible reasons could be that your worksheet or workbook is locked, your PDF is protected, and your files are damaged or corrupted. And some administrative problems are also responsible too.

2. How to attach PDF to Excel without losing formatting?

Open your Excel, and click "Insert" > "object". You can then create it from a file or insert a PDF file. In this way, you can attach PDF to Excel without format loss.

3. Can you drag and drop PDF to Excel?

It's not functional if you want to drag and drop PDF to your Excel.

4. How to insert more than one PDF file into Excel?

Definitely, you can import multiple PDF files to Excel, but this is not the best way. Using Adobe to combine your PDF files before inserting them is more effective, intuitive, and clearer.