How to Insert All Pages of a PDF into a Word Document
Question details
The user needs to insert or embed every page of a multi-page PDF file into a Microsoft Word document, rather than just the first page.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Compiling a comprehensive document where an existing multi-page PDF needs to be fully visible inside a Word file.
- Observed behavior
- Using the Insert > Object > Adobe PDF command in Word only inserts the PDF as a single object and strictly displays the first page.
Determine whether you need the PDF content to be fully editable text within your Word document, or if you simply need the pages to display exactly as they look in the original PDF as static images.
Split the PDF and Insert as Separate Objects
Use this method to maintain the exact visual layout of your PDF by splitting it into single pages and inserting each page individually as an uneditable image-like object.
Because Microsoft Word treats inserted PDF files as single OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) objects, it can only render the first page. To bypass this limitation while keeping the exact formatting intact, you must break the PDF down into separate files.
Use a PDF editor or a free online PDF splitting tool to separate your multi-page PDF document into individual, single-page PDF files.
Open your Microsoft Word document, place your cursor where you want the first page to appear, and navigate to the Insert tab. Click on 'Object' in the Text group.
Select the 'Create from File' tab, click 'Browse', and choose the first single-page PDF file you created. Click 'OK' to insert it into the document.
Move your cursor below the newly inserted page and repeat the Insert Object process for each subsequent single-page PDF file until all pages are added.
Convert the PDF to Word Content Directly
This method is best if the PDF contains text that you want to edit directly within your Word document.
Insert the Multi-page PDF as a Clickable Icon
Ideal for referencing a supplementary PDF document without taking up multiple pages of visual space in your Word file.
Seamlessly Convert and Insert PDFs with WPS Office
Bypass the hassle of splitting pages manually. WPS Office features a powerful, built-in PDF to Word converter that accurately transforms multi-page PDFs into fully formatted, editable Word documents in just a few clicks.
- 1. Open the PDF to Word Tool: Launch WPS Office, navigate to the dedicated 'PDF' tab, and select 'PDF to Word' from the top ribbon.
- 2. Add Your Multi-Page PDF: Drag and drop your multi-page PDF file into the conversion dialog window, or click to browse your local files.
- 3. Convert and Edit: Click 'Start' to begin the conversion. WPS Office will perfectly convert all PDF pages into a single, editable Writer document ready for your immediate use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word only show the first page of my inserted PDF?
When you use the 'Insert > Object' command, Microsoft Word treats the imported PDF file as a single OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) item. By default, OLE objects only render the first page as a static preview image within the document body.
Is there a way to merge a Word document and a multi-page PDF together?
Yes. If your final output is going to be a PDF anyway, the easiest method is to save your Word document as a PDF first. Then, use a PDF editor (like WPS PDF) to merge or append the two PDF files together into one continuous document.
Will copying and pasting text directly from a PDF into Word keep the original formatting?
It depends on the complexity of the PDF. Standard paragraphs usually copy over well, but complex elements like multi-column layouts, embedded tables, and specific fonts often lose their formatting when pasted. Using a dedicated PDF to Word converter yields much better layout retention.
Can I insert a PDF into Word so that it automatically updates if the original PDF changes?
Yes. When inserting the PDF via Insert > Object > Create from File, check the 'Link to file' box before clicking OK. This creates a shortcut to the original file, so any changes made to the source PDF will reflect in the Word document. Note that this still only displays the first page.
