PDFs can be embedded into a number of documents and files, as well as into web pages. For example, embedding a PDF into a Word document, into a PowerPoint presentation or into a website can be achieved relatively simply. Websites today consist of more than just text and images; different types of content, such as PDFs and videos, are considered a standard part of a comprehensive website.
Embedding a PDF into a Word document
There are three ways of embedding, or linking, a PDF file to a Word document. It can be embedded as a PDF object but it will not be the actual PDF document that’s inserted, it will be an image of the first page which is the link to the PDF file and a hidden part of the Word file. It must also be noted that the size of the PDF increases the size of the Word document.
Alternatively you can embed the PDF as an icon into the Word document but again, this is not the file, only an image link and it will increase the size of the Word document.
The other option is to insert a link to an external PDF. Whilst you are not embedding the actual PDF, or an image of it, you are linking a PDF file. This method won’t increase the size of the Word document, but if you are going to share the Word document, you will need to send the PDF file as well.
Inserting or embedding PDFs into an Excel spreadsheet uses the same method as inserting an object. However once embedded, as with images, you will not be able to edit the PDF. With a PowerPoint presentation, you can insert the PDF or embed a link to the PDF either as an ‘image’ of the first page of the PDF, or as a link.
Embedding a PDF into a web page
Using a .pdf formatted file, you can embed PDF files into web pages for showing an ebook, for example, or a long document. One of the simplest forms of ‘embedding’ a file is to link to a PDF file. It’s a straight-forward process of linking, similar to linking to another web page. To add an HTML link to a PDF document, the following format should be used:
<a href+”/(add file name)</a>
This creates a link that opens up in a PDF reader when clicked by the viewer, or they’re asked to download the PDF file if they don’t have a PDF reader. Alternatively, if you wish the viewer to be able to read the PDF document without a PDF reader, embed the PDF using a software solution, such as Google Docs.
To make the embedding of PDFs easier, you can convert your PDF into the HTML format. There are a number of online converters, some of which are free, that can help you do this including PDF Online, Zamzar, Convert PDF to HTML, PDF Aid, PDF to HTML and PDF Convert Online.
Embedding a PDF in a website using HTML
Using HTML allows you to embed and show PDF files directly on your web pages, rather than the viewer having to download the PDF or link to that file. The key to embedding a PDF using HTML is keeping it to a simple HTML code:
<embed src=”(add URL/file name of pdf.pdf)” width=”550” height=”750”></embed>
This code is then inserted in to your web page, and you can adjust the width and height according to your requriements.