While Google Slides offers various features for creating dynamic presentations, it doesn’t provide a direct option to insert PDF files.
So, can you insert a PDF into Google Slides? Absolutely! There are workarounds and third-party tools that can help you with this task.
To remove the stress of presentations, we explore three simple methods to add PDFs to Google Slides.
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How To Insert a PDF into Google Slides
There are three methods you can use to insert a PDF into Google Slides:
1: Convert a PDF to a Screenshot Image
While you can’t directly import a PDF to Google Slides, you can convert the PDF into images. This is the most straightforward method that offers a simple yet effective solution. To take a screenshot of a PDF page and use it on platforms like PowerPoint and Google Slides, follow these simple steps:
- Open the PDF file with a PDF viewer or editor.
- Take a screenshot of the area of the PDF page you’d like to save as an image by pressing Windows + Shift + S (on Windows) or Cmd + Shift + 4 (on Mac).
- Once the screenshot image is saved, open Google Slides and click on “Insert.”
- Select “Image” and then click on “Upload from computer.”
- Choose the screenshot image and click on “Open.”
- Adjust the size and position of the image as needed.
With this method, each page of the PDF will be inserted simultaneously into your Google Slides presentation. The inserted content will be static, however, and won’t retain the interactive elements of the original PDF (e.g., buttons, links, videos).
Related: How To Insert a PDF into Google Docs [Easy Guide]
2: Insert a PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader offers a convenient way to convert PDFs to images and other formats (like DOCX and XLSX). This makes it easier to use the PDF file across other platforms, like Google Docs and Google Sheets. While Adobe Acrobat Reader has subscription rates, a 7-day free trial is available.
To convert a PDF to an image using Adobe Acrobat Reader, simply follow the steps below:
- Open the PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Select “Convert to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.”
- Under “Convert To,” click on the drop-down list menu and select “Image.”
- Use the Image Quality Slider to adjust the quality of your saved image. Then, click on “Export to JPEG.”
- Once the image file is saved, open Google Slides and click on “Insert.”
- Click “Image” and select “Upload from computer.”
- Select the image file you want to add to Google Slides and click “Open.”
- You can then adjust the size and position of the PDF image as needed.
This method also converts the file to images. That said, you’ll only be placing static images in Google Slides. Any animated elements — or interactive features present in the original PDF — won’t work in the converted image format.
Related: How To Convert PDF to Google Sheets in 5 Minutes [Easy]
3: Link PDF to Google Slides
If you need to seamlessly incorporate a PDF file into your Google Slides presentation — while keeping it easily accessible — you might want to consider linking the PDF on your Google Slide presentation instead.
This method of importing a PDF into Google Slides can be useful, especially for providing your audience with a direct pathway to access additional information, references, or supplementary materials.
During your presentation, click on the text or object with the PDF link. This will open the PDF file in a new tab or window, allowing viewers to access the content.
Note: When linking to a PDF file, the content won’t be directly embedded within the slide. Instead, users will be redirected to the PDF file in a separate window or tab for viewing.
- Upload the PDF file to a file hosting service or cloud storage platform that allows file sharing. Ensure the file is set to “Public” or has appropriate sharing permissions. We recommend using Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
- Obtain the sharing link for the PDF file by right-clicking on the PDF file and selecting “Share.”
- Under “General access,” click the drop-down menu to select who can access the PDF. You can also change the role of anyone accessing the PDF to Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.
- Click on “Copy link.”
- Open Google Slides and add the link to the PDF.
- Highlight the text or object (such as an image or shape) you want to turn into a hyperlink.
- Click on the “Insert” menu and select “Link.” Alternatively, you can use the Windows keyboard shortcut Ctrl + K (or Command + K on Mac).
- In the “Text” or “Link” field, paste the Google Drive link to the PDF file you’ve copied. Then click “Apply” to create the hyperlink.
- The highlighted text or object will now serve as a clickable link to the PDF file.
Related: How To Open PDF in Google Docs and Fix Common Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Embed a PDF into a Google Slide?
Unfortunately, you can’t directly embed a PDF into a Google Slide. However, there are alternative methods you can use to incorporate PDF content into your Google Slides presentations.
One common approach is to convert the PDF to images, then insert those images into your slides.
How Do I Make a PDF Interactive on Google Slides?
Google Slides doesn’t have built-in functionality to make an interactive PDF within the platform. However, you can enhance interactivity with PDF content in your Google Slides presentation by providing a hyperlink to the PDF instead.
Final Thoughts
While it’s unfortunate that Google Docs doesn’t offer a direct method to import PDF files into the platform, our workarounds provide practical solutions.
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