How to insert a PDF into Excel

The good news is, you don’t need any advanced tools or technical experience. This guide walks you through three practical methods to insert a PDF into Excel, starting with the simplest option.

Method 1: Insert a PDF into Excel as an object

The easiest way to prepare and insert a PDF into Excel is by using Lumin. You can convert your PDF into a format that works seamlessly in Excel or optimize it for embedding.

How to insert a PDF into Excel using Lumin:

1. Open your Excel workbook.
2. Go to the “Insert” tab, then in the Text group click “Object”.
3. In the dialog box, select the “Create from File” tab.
4. Click “Browse” and choose your PDF file.
5. Click “OK” to insert the PDF into your worksheet.
6. Your PDF is now embedded in Excel, and you can open and edit it using Lumin.

Note: The “Object” feature is only available in the desktop version of Microsoft Excel. After inserting your PDF as an object, you can open and review it using Lumin, where you can easily sign, edit, and add text to your document.

Method 2 : Insert a PDF into Excel as a link

If your PDF file is large or frequently updated, inserting it as a link is a better option. This method keeps your Excel file lightweight while still giving you quick access to the document.

Steps to insert a PDF as a link:

1. Save your PDF file in a stable location on your computer or upload it to a cloud storage service.
2. Copy the file path or shareable link to the PDF.
3. Open your Excel file and select the cell where you want the link to appear.
4. Go to the “Insert” tab and select “Link” or Press Ctrl + K on your keyboard. 
5. Paste the file path or URL into the address field.
6. Click OK to insert the link.

Note: The selected cell will now contain a clickable link. When clicked, it will open the PDF in your default browser or PDF reader. This is especially useful for reports, documentation, or shared team files.

Method 3: Insert a PDF into Excel as an image

If you only need to display part of a PDF, such as a chart, table, or signed document, converting it into an image can be the most practical solution. This lets you visually present the content directly in your spreadsheet.

How to insert a PDF as an image:

1. Open your Excel file and go to the Insert tab.
2. Click “Pictures” and choose where your image is stored.
3. Select the converted image file and click Insert.
4. Resize and position the image within your worksheet as needed.

Note: When converting your PDF, you can simply take a screenshot or use Lumin’s PDF to PNG  feature to convert your file into an image. This method is ideal for static content that doesn’t need to be opened separately, and works well for presentations, dashboards, or visual references in Excel.

Frequently asked questions

Can I insert a PDF into Excel without embedding it?

Yes, you can insert a PDF as a link instead of embedding it. This keeps your Excel file smaller and allows you to update the PDF separately without modifying the spreadsheet. It is a good option for shared or frequently updated documents.

Why does Excel show only an icon instead of the PDF preview?

Excel may display the PDF as an icon depending on your system settings or default PDF application. Even without a preview, the file is still accessible and can be opened by double-clicking the icon.

Does embedding a PDF affect Excel performance?

Embedding large PDFs can increase your file size and may slow down performance, especially in complex spreadsheets. Using links instead can help maintain faster load times and smoother performance.

Can I insert multiple PDFs into one Excel sheet?

Yes, Excel allows you to insert multiple PDFs either as objects or links. Each file will appear as a separate element, which you can organize within your worksheet.

What is the best method to insert a PDF into Excel?

The best method depends on your needs. Embedding is useful for keeping everything in one file, linking is better for large or shared documents, and images work best for displaying specific content visually.

More document tools

Need to work with other file formats? Lumin offers tools to support your document workflow:

• PDF to Excel converter
• Excel to PDF converter
• JPG to PDF converter
• PDF to PPT converter