How to put a PDF into Google Docs: step-by-step guide

To put a PDF into Google Docs, upload it to Google Drive, right-click the file, and select Open with > Google Docs to convert it into an editable document.

This guide also covers what survives the conversion, the file size limits, how to add a PDF page or link to an existing document, and what to do when the result looks wrong.

Step by step tutorial on how to put a PDF into Google Docs

Google's conversion runs in Google Drive on a computer, so start there rather than in a blank document.

1. Go to drive.google.com on your computer and sign in.
2. In the top left, click New, then click File upload.
3. Select your PDF and confirm the upload.
4. Right-click the PDF in your Drive files.
5. Click Open with > Google Docs.
6. Check the converted document, because some formatting may not transfer.

Convert, insert or link a PDF in Google Docs

Putting a PDF into Google Docs can mean three different things. Match what you need to the result each one gives you.

What you need	Do this	What you end up with
Edit the words in the PDF	Convert it with Open with > Google Docs	Editable text, with some layout lost
Show a page exactly as it looks	Capture the page and use Insert > Image	A picture of the page, with text you cannot edit
Point readers to the whole original file	Copy its Drive link and use Insert > Link	A clickable link inside your document
Add part of a PDF to a document you already have	Convert it, then copy the text across	The text in your existing document

How to put a PDF into a Google Doc you already have

Convert the PDF first, then move the text you want. This keeps your existing document's layout intact.

1. In Google Drive, right-click the PDF and click Open with > Google Docs.
2. In the converted document, select the text you want and copy it.
3. Open your existing document in Google Docs.
4. Click where the text should go, then paste it.
5. Compare the pasted text with the PDF and fix any lists or tables that did not convert.

Pasted text often needs tidying, so you may want to set the margins or indent the paragraphs afterward.

How to insert a PDF page as an image in Google Docs

The image menu in Google Docs works with image files, so capture the PDF page as a picture first. These capture steps use the Snipping Tool on Windows, and you can take a screenshot on Windows in several other ways.

1. Open the PDF and scroll to the page you want.
2. Press Windows logo key + Shift + S and select the area of the page.
3. Open the snip in the Snipping Tool, then press Ctrl + S and save it as an image.
4. Open your document in Google Docs and click where the page should go.
5. Click Insert > Image > Upload from computer.
6. Choose the saved image, then click Open.

The text in the picture stays uneditable. Repeat the steps once per page for a multi-page PDF.

How to link a PDF in a Google Doc

A link keeps the original PDF untouched and lets readers open the full file. Set its sharing first, or people who have no access will not be able to open it.

1. In Google Drive, select the PDF and click Share.
2. Under General access, choose who can use the link.
3. Click Copy link, then click Done.
4. Open your document in Google Docs and click where the link should go.
5. Click Insert > Link.
6. Under Text, type the words readers will see, and paste the address under Link.
7. Click Apply.

What happens to PDF formatting in Google Docs

Google Docs reads the PDF as text, so basic character styling tends to carry over while page structure often does not.

PDF element	After conversion	What to do
Bold and italics	Likely to be retained	Spot-check the headings
Font size and font type	Likely to be retained	Change anything that looks out of place
Line breaks	Likely to be retained	Remove extra breaks in long paragraphs
Lists	Not likely to be detected	Reapply bullets or numbering
Tables and columns	Not likely to be detected	Rebuild them, or insert the page as an image
Footnotes and endnotes	Not likely to be detected	Add them back by hand

Google Docs PDF file size limit

Several limits apply here, and the one that matters most is the smallest. A PDF can sit in Drive at almost any size, but conversion works best on small files.

What the limit covers	Limit	What it means for your PDF
PDF converted to text in Drive	Should be 2 MB or smaller	Larger files may convert poorly, so reduce them first
Text document converted to Google Docs format	Up to 50 MB	This limit covers text documents, so aim for the 2 MB figure with a PDF
A Google Docs document	Up to 1.02 million characters	A very long PDF can exceed this after conversion
PDF stored in Drive without converting	Up to 5 TB	You can still store and link a large PDF

Tips for putting a PDF into Google Docs

Conversion quality depends on the file you start with, so most of these tips apply before you upload.

Tip	Why it helps
Keep the file at 2 MB or less	That is the size Google recommends for conversion, and you can compress the PDF first
Rotate pages before you upload	Documents must be right-side up to convert properly
Use sharp scans with even lighting	Clear contrast helps Drive recognize the text
Make sure text is at least 10 pixels high	Smaller text may not be picked up
Prefer common fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman	They convert more reliably than decorative fonts
Keep the original PDF	You need it to compare layouts and to send the exact version later

How to put a PDF into Google Docs on iPhone or iPad

Google's conversion instructions point to drive.google.com on a computer, including from its phone help pages. Upload the PDF from your phone, then finish the conversion on a computer.

1. Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Add, then tap File upload.
3. Find and tap the PDF.
4. Tap Upload.
5. On a computer, go to drive.google.com, right-click the PDF, and click Open with > Google Docs.

Once it is converted, you can use Google Docs offline to keep working on it without a connection.

How do I share my PDF once it's in Google Docs?

Share the converted document the same way as any other Google Docs file. The role you choose decides what the other person can do with it.

1. Open the converted document and click Share.
2. Enter an email address or a Google Group.
3. Choose Viewer, Commenter or Editor.
4. Decide whether to send an email notification.
5. Click Send or Share.

Viewer can only read the file, Commenter can add comments and suggestions, and Editor can change it and, by default, share it with others.

How to download a Google Doc as a PDF

After editing, you can turn the document back into a PDF. If the form needs signing first, you can add a signature in Google Docs before you export it.

1. Open the document in Google Docs.
2. Click File > Download.
3. Choose PDF as the format.
4. Open the downloaded file and check the page breaks.

How to tell if a PDF converted to Google Docs correctly

Conversion can finish with text missing or out of order, so compare the document with the PDF before you rely on it.

1. Click inside a paragraph and change a word to confirm the text is editable.
2. Open the PDF beside the document and compare the first and last pages.
3. Check every list, table and column, because these are the elements most likely to be lost.
4. Read names, dates and figures closely, since recognition errors change them without any warning.

PDF not converting to Google Docs

The text comes out garbled or incomplete

The scan is blurry, too small, sideways or uses an unusual font.

1. Rotate the pages so they are right-side up.
2. Scan the page again with sharp focus, even lighting and clear contrast.
3. Make sure the text is at least 10 pixels high.
4. Upload the new file and convert it again.

The tables, lists or columns are gone

Conversion is not likely to detect lists, tables, columns, footnotes or endnotes.

1. Keep the PDF open beside the document.
2. Rebuild the lists and tables in Google Docs.
3. If the layout matters more than editing, insert that page as an image instead.

The PDF is too large to convert well

Google recommends 2 MB or smaller for this conversion.

1. Reduce the file size, or save only the pages you need as a new PDF.
2. Upload the smaller file to Google Drive.
3. Convert it with Open with > Google Docs.

You cannot convert the PDF on your phone

Google's conversion steps are written for Drive on a computer.

1. Upload the PDF with the Google Drive app.
2. Open drive.google.com on a computer.
3. Right-click the file and click Open with > Google Docs.

PDF into Google Docs FAQ

How do I put a PDF into a Google Doc?

Upload the PDF to Google Drive, right-click it, and click Open with > Google Docs. To add it to an existing document, copy the converted text across, insert a page as an image, or add a link to the PDF with Insert > Link.

Can I edit a PDF in Google Docs?

Yes, once you convert it. Opening a PDF with Google Docs turns its contents into editable text. Bold, italics and font styles are likely to stay, while lists, tables, columns and footnotes often need rebuilding by hand.

What happens if my PDF has images?

Check the converted document, because Google's conversion is built around recognizing text and its help page makes no promise about pictures. If an image is missing or misplaced, capture it from the PDF and add it back with Insert > Image.

Is there a file size limit for PDFs in Google Docs?

Yes. Google says a PDF should be 2 MB or smaller for conversion to text. A Google Docs document can hold up to 1.02 million characters, and an unconverted PDF stored in Drive can reach 5 TB.

Can I convert a PDF to a Google Docs format?

Yes. Google lists PDF among the file types it can convert through optical character recognition, the same process used for JPG, GIF and PNG files. Use Open with > Google Docs in Drive on a computer to start the conversion.

How do I put a PDF into a Word document?

Word handles this itself, and the Word desktop app can insert a PDF as an object from Insert > Object > Create from File. To edit the contents instead, you can convert the PDF to Word and work on the result.