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How to Keep an Embedded PDF Accessible After Word to PDF Conversion
Question details
Users want to know how to keep a PDF file clickable and openable after embedding it in a Word document and exporting that document as a PDF.
- Product
- Word, PDF
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Word document that contains an embedded PDF object into a final PDF format while retaining reader access to the embedded file.
- Observed behavior
- The embedded PDF object becomes a flat, non-clickable image or icon in the exported PDF, preventing readers from opening or interacting with the attached file.
Ensure you have the original PDF file stored on a cloud drive, shared network folder, or a stable web link so that readers can seamlessly access it via a hyperlink.
Replace the Embedded Object with an External Hyperlink
Since word processors flatten embedded objects into images during PDF conversion, replacing the object with a hyperlink to the external file is the most reliable workaround.
Standard PDF export engines do not support transferring nested OLE objects into PDF file attachments. By hosting the PDF online or on a shared drive, you can create a clickable text link or image link that survives the conversion process.
Upload the PDF file you want to attach to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, and generate a shareable link.
Open your Word document, highlight the text or image you want to act as the clickable link, right-click the selection, and choose 'Link' or 'Hyperlink' from the context menu.
Paste the generated shareable link into the 'Address' or 'URL' field in the hyperlink dialog box, then click 'OK'.
Go to File > Save As or File > Export, choose PDF as your file format, and save. The resulting PDF will now feature a clickable link directing readers to the external document.
Attach Files Directly to Your PDF with WPS Office
Instead of struggling with non-clickable embedded objects in Word, you can convert your document to PDF first and then use the WPS PDF editor to seamlessly embed your files directly into the final document.
- 1. Convert document to PDF: Open your Word document in WPS Writer and go to Menu > Export to PDF to create your base PDF file.
- 2. Open the file in WPS PDF: Open the newly created PDF file using the built-in WPS PDF editor.
- 3. Select the Attachment tool: Navigate to the Comment tab on the top ribbon, select the 'Attachment' tool, and click on the specific area of the page where you want the attachment icon to appear.
- 4. Embed your file: Browse your computer for the PDF file you want to embed and click Open. The file is now securely attached and can be opened directly from within the PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my embedded files turn into images when saving as PDF?
Most word processors process embedded OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) objects as visual elements during the PDF conversion. They flatten these objects into non-interactive images to strictly preserve the visual layout of the printed page.
Does checking 'Link to file' in Word solve the PDF embedding issue?
No, enabling the 'Link to file' option when inserting an object in Word only creates a local reference link within the Word document itself. It does not transfer into a clickable or openable attachment in the exported PDF.
Can I permanently embed a PDF within another PDF document?
Yes. By using a dedicated PDF editor like WPS PDF, you can add file attachments directly to the PDF document as annotations. These attachments remain fully embedded within the file structure and can be opened by anyone viewing the document.
