How to insert a PDF into Excel

Convert PDF to Excel · 4 min read

"Insert a PDF into Excel" can mean two different things, and the right method depends on which you want: attach the PDF file to the sheet, or get the PDF's numbers into cells you can edit. Here's both.

Option 1: Embed the PDF as an object

If you just want the PDF to travel with the workbook, say, attaching a receipt next to a row, embed it as an object:

1. Click the cell where you want it, then go to Insert → Object.
2. Choose Create from File and browse to your PDF.
3. Tick Display as icon for a small file icon, or leave it unticked for a first-page preview.
4. Click OK. The PDF is now attached to the sheet.

The catch: it's just a preview or an icon. You can't edit, sort or sum anything inside it, it's a file glued on top of the grid, not data.

Option 2: Extract the table into real cells

If what you actually want is the PDF's numbers in the spreadsheet, editable and ready to calculate, you need to extract the table, not embed the file.

Convert PDF to Excel is a free Chrome extension that does this in one click:

1. Open the PDF and click the extension.
2. It rebuilds the table into an editable .xlsx or CSV, column by column.
3. Paste the result into your workbook. The numbers are real numbers you can sum.

Which one do you want?

• Keep the original file handy? Embed it as an object (Option 1).
• Work with the numbers? Extract the table into cells (Option 2).

Most people searching for this actually want Option 2, they have a table locked in a PDF and need it in Excel. See our full guide on converting a PDF table to Excel.