There are two ways to combine a PDF and a Word document, and the right one depends on what you want to end up with. If you want a single Word file, open the PDF in Word to convert it, then copy its content into your Word document, or insert the PDF as an object. If you want a single PDF, save the Word document as a PDF first, then merge the two PDFs with Adobe Acrobat or, on a Mac, the built-in Preview app.
The quickest route for most people is the second one: File > Save a Copy > PDF in Word, then combine the two PDFs. It keeps both documents’ layouts intact, which is usually what matters when you’re sending the result to someone else.
Quick Answer
- Decide on the final format: one Word file (editable) or one PDF (fixed layout, easy to share).
- For one PDF: in Word, save your document as a PDF, then combine both PDFs using Acrobat’s Combine files tool or Preview on a Mac.
- For one Word file: open the PDF in Word with File > Open, let Word convert it, then copy the content into your document.
- To attach the PDF inside a Word file without converting it: use Insert > Object > Create from File.
- Check page order and formatting before you share the combined file.
In This Guide
- Before you start
- Which method should you use?
- Step 1 for a combined PDF: Save the Word document as a PDF
- Method 1: Combine the files in Adobe Acrobat
- Method 2: Combine PDFs in Preview on a Mac
- Method 3: Convert the PDF in Word and merge the content
- Method 4: Insert the PDF into Word as an object
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
Before You Start
These steps cover Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 and Word 2016 through 2024 on Windows, Word for Mac, Word for the web, Adobe Acrobat (desktop and online), and Preview on macOS, as of September 2026.
What you need:
- Your Word document (.docx) and your PDF.
- Microsoft Word to convert in either direction.
- A PDF tool that can combine files. Adobe Acrobat Pro or Standard can combine PDFs with Word files directly. On a Mac, Preview is free and built in but only combines PDFs, so you’ll convert the Word file first. The free Adobe Acrobat online merge tool also accepts PDFs only.
- An unlocked PDF. Password-protected or secured PDFs can’t be combined in Acrobat until the security is removed by someone with permission.
Two quick terms: merging or combining means putting the pages of two or more files into one file. Converting means changing a file from one format to another, such as PDF to Word.
Before you change anything, save a copy of both original files. Conversion can shift formatting, and it’s easier to start over from a clean original.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Goal | Best method | Keeps original layout? | Editable afterward? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send one polished file to someone | Save Word as PDF, then combine PDFs (Methods 1 or 2) | Yes | Limited (it’s a PDF) |
| Edit everything in one document | Convert the PDF in Word (Method 3) | Partly; complex layouts can shift | Yes |
| Keep the PDF intact but carry it inside a Word file | Insert as an object (Method 4) | Yes, as an attached object | No, the PDF itself can’t be edited in Word |
| You’re on a Mac without Acrobat | Save Word as PDF, then use Preview (Method 2) | Yes | Limited |
In short: combine as a PDF when the result is final, and combine in Word when you still need to edit.
Step 1 for a Combined PDF: Save the Word Document as a PDF
Methods 1 and 2 work best when both files are already PDFs. Acrobat Pro can accept a Word file directly, but converting it yourself first lets you check the result.
Word for Windows
- Open the document in Word.
- Select File > Save a Copy (or Save As in some versions).
- Select Browse and choose where to save the file.
- In the file type drop-down list, select PDF.
- Optional: select More Options > Options to choose a page range or other PDF settings.
- Select Save. Expected result: A PDF version appears in the folder you chose, and your original .docx is unchanged.
Word also offers File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document > Create PDF/XPS, then Publish. Both routes produce a PDF, as described in Microsoft’s guide to saving as PDF.
Word for Mac
- Select File > Save As.
- Select File Format at the bottom of the window.
- Choose PDF from the list, then save.
Word for the web
- Select File > Export.
- Choose Download as PDF, then select Download in the confirmation box.
For more ways to create PDFs on a PC, see our guide on how to convert files to PDF on Windows.
Method 1: Combine the Files in Adobe Acrobat
Acrobat desktop app (Pro or Standard)
According to Adobe, the desktop Combine files tool can merge PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other files into one PDF. That means you can skip the conversion step if you like.
- Open Acrobat and go to All tools > Combine files.
- Select Add files and choose your PDF and your Word document (or its PDF version).
- Drag the files into the order you want. The file at the top becomes the first pages of the combined PDF.
- Select Combine. Expected result: Acrobat creates a new PDF containing both files in the order you set.
- Save the new PDF with a clear name.
Acrobat online
Adobe’s Acrobat web help describes this process:
- On the Acrobat homepage, select Edit > Combine files.
- Choose Select files and upload the files from your device.
- Select the files you want to combine and choose Continue.
- Drag files to reorder them. You can expand a file to arrange its individual pages, or remove a file you don’t need.
- Select Combine. Expected result: The combined PDF is saved to Adobe cloud storage, where you can download it.
Adobe’s free online merge page accepts PDF files only and lists limits of 100 files, 500 pages per file, and 1,500 pages in the merged file. Combining a Word file directly requires Acrobat Pro. If you’re using the free tool, save your Word document as a PDF first. Keep in mind that online tools upload your files to a server, so avoid them for confidential documents unless your organization allows it.
Method 2: Combine PDFs in Preview on a Mac
Preview is included with macOS and can merge PDFs without extra software. Save your Word document as a PDF first (see Step 1), then follow these steps from Apple’s Preview guide:
- Open both PDFs in Preview.
- In each window, choose View > Thumbnails to show page thumbnails in the sidebar.
- Drag the thumbnails you want from one PDF’s sidebar into the other PDF’s sidebar. To select pages that aren’t next to each other, Command-click each one.
- Drop the pages at the end of the document or between existing pages, then drag thumbnails to fix the order if needed.
- To add a whole PDF at once, drag its icon from the Finder into the sidebar.
Expected result: One PDF now holds the pages from both files.
Warning: Apple notes that changes to a Preview document are saved automatically. Before you start, duplicate the PDF you’re adding pages to (in the Finder, select it and choose File > Duplicate) so you keep an untouched original.
If you’re on Windows, our guide on how to merge PDFs on Windows covers other options.
Method 3: Convert the PDF in Word and Merge the Content
Use this method when you want one editable Word document. Word can open a PDF and convert it into an editable copy.
- In Word, go to File > Open and select the PDF (use Browse if needed).
- Word shows a message that it will make a copy of the PDF and convert its contents. Select OK. Expected result: The PDF opens as a new, editable Word document. The original PDF isn’t changed.
- Review the converted content. Fix any line breaks, spacing, or tables that moved.
- Press Ctrl + A (Command + A on Mac) to select everything, then Ctrl + C (Command + C) to copy.
- Open your original Word document, click where the PDF content should go, and press Ctrl + V (Command + V) to paste.
- Save the combined document with a new name.
Alternatively, save the converted PDF as a .docx file, then in your main document use the arrow next to Insert > Object and choose Text from File to pull it in. Microsoft recommends inserting it into a new section if you want its headers and footers to apply only to those pages.
What to expect from the conversion, according to Microsoft’s notes on opening PDFs in Word:
- Text-heavy documents, such as business or legal documents, convert best.
- Tables with cell spacing, page colors and borders, footnotes that span pages, endnotes, PDF comments and bookmarks, and font effects like glow or shadow may not convert well.
- If a page is mostly charts or graphics, Word may bring the whole page in as an image, and its text won’t be editable.
- Scanned documents and copier-style pages often format poorly.
For more detail on this conversion, see our guide on how to convert a PDF to Word.
Method 4: Insert the PDF Into Word as an Object
This method places the PDF inside the Word file without converting it. It’s useful for attaching a signed form or a reference document that must stay exactly as it is. These steps are for Word on Windows, based on Microsoft’s instructions for adding a PDF to an Office file.
- Click where you want the PDF to appear.
- Select Insert > Object (in the Text group).
- Select the Create from File tab, then Browse.
- Choose the PDF and select Open.
- Optional: check Display as icon to show a clickable icon instead of a preview, or check Link to file to keep a connection to the original PDF.
- Select OK. Expected result: The PDF appears as an object in your document.
Things to know:
- You can resize the object, but you can’t edit the PDF after inserting it.
- Readers need a PDF reader installed to open the embedded file.
- Embedded objects become part of the Word file. Linked objects stay connected to the source file and update when it changes, which keeps the Word file smaller but breaks if the PDF is moved or the Word file is sent without it.
- An embedded PDF typically shows only its first page as a preview, so this isn’t a good choice if readers need to see every page in the Word document itself.
Troubleshooting
Acrobat won’t combine my files
Adobe says secure or password-protected PDFs, 3D files, and PDF Portfolios can’t be combined. Ask the file owner for an unlocked version. If you’re using the free online tool, remember it accepts PDFs only.
The converted PDF looks messy in Word
Complex layouts don’t convert perfectly. Try combining as a PDF instead (Methods 1 or 2), or copy only the text you need and rebuild tables in Word.
Converted text can’t be edited
The page was probably brought in as an image, which happens with graphic-heavy pages and scans. You’ll need to retype that content or use a tool with text recognition (OCR).
The pages are in the wrong order
Reorder files before selecting Combine in Acrobat. In Preview, drag thumbnails in the sidebar. In Word, cut and paste sections into place.
The inserted PDF shows as a blank box or icon
If you checked Display as icon, that’s expected; double-click the icon to open the PDF. Otherwise, make sure a PDF reader is installed on the computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine a PDF and a Word document for free?
Yes. Save the Word document as a PDF in Word, then merge the two PDFs with Preview on a Mac or Adobe’s free online merge tool. Combining a Word file directly in Acrobat requires Acrobat Pro or Standard.
Will combining files change my originals?
Acrobat and Word’s conversion create new files. Preview saves changes automatically to the PDF you edit, so duplicate it first.
Can I put a PDF inside a Word document without converting it?
Yes. Use Insert > Object > Create from File. The PDF becomes an object you can open but not edit in Word.
Which comes first in the combined file?
Whatever you place first. In Acrobat, the top file in the list becomes the first pages. In Word, the order is wherever you paste or insert content.
Can I combine more than two files?
Yes. Acrobat’s Combine files tool accepts many files at once, and Preview lets you drag in pages from several PDFs.
Is it safe to use online PDF tools?
Online tools upload your files to the provider’s servers. For private or confidential documents, use desktop software such as Word, Acrobat desktop, or Preview.
Summary
- Choose your final format: one PDF for sharing, or one Word file for editing.
- For a PDF, save the Word document as a PDF from the File menu in Word.
- Combine the PDFs with Acrobat’s Combine files tool or Preview on a Mac.
- For a Word file, open the PDF in Word to convert it, then paste or insert the content.
- To keep the PDF unchanged inside Word, use Insert > Object > Create from File.
- Review page order and formatting before sharing.
Next step: save your Word document as a PDF now, then combine it with your other PDF using Acrobat or Preview and check the page order.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.