• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

How to Insert and Modify Images in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat

By Erin Wright

Wall of picture frames with text overlay "How to Insert and Modify Images in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat"This tutorial shows how to insert images in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat. We will also resize, rotate, and move images, as well as arrange images behind text.

Quick Links:

  • How to Insert Images
  • How to Modify Images
    • How to Resize Images
    • How to Rotate Images
    • How to Move Images
    • How to Arrange Images behind Text

This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 150 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

The figures below are from Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. These steps will also work in Adobe Acrobat Standard DC, Adobe Acrobat 2020, and Adobe Acrobat 2017. Adobe’s free PDF display software, Acrobat Reader, doesn’t provide a way to add images to PDFs.

How to Insert Images in PDFs

The steps below assume you are adding an image to an existing PDF. If you need to create a new PDF or add a blank page to an existing PDF, please see my other tutorial “How to Create a Blank PDF in Adobe Acrobat.”

  1. Select the Tools tab.
Tools tab in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 1. Tools tab
  1. Select Edit PDF from the Tools Center.
Edit PDF button in the Tools Center in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 1. Edit PDF button
  1. Select Add Image from the Edit PDF toolbar.
Add Image button in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 3. Add Image button
  1. Locate and select the image in the Open dialog box.
Open dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 4. Open dialog box
  1. Select the Open button.
Open button in the Open dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 5. Open button

Your image should now be added to your PDF.

How to Modify Images in PDFs

You can skip to step 3 if your Edit PDF toolbar is already open.

  1. Select the Tools tab (see figure 1).
  2. Select Edit PDF from the Tools Center (see figure 2).
  3. Select Edit in the Edit PDF toolbar.
Edit button in the Edit PDF toolbar in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 6. Edit button
  1. Select the image. A border with resizing handles will appear when the image is selected.
Image of cat with resizing handles
Figure 7. Image with resizing handles

With the image selected, you can now resize it, rotate it, move it, or arrange it behind a textbox.

How to Resize Images

  1. Select and hold one of the resizing handles (see figure 7).
  2. Drag the image to a new size.

Pro Tip: If you want to maintain the image’s shape, select a corner resizing handle rather than a side resizing handle.

How to Rotate Images

  1. Select the rotation handle extending from the top of the border.
  2. Rotate the image to the left or right, as necessary.
Image of cat with rotation handle
Figure 8. Image with rotation handle

Pro Tip: You can also right-click the image and select Flip Horizontal, Flip Vertical, Rotate Clockwise, or Rotate Counterclockwise from the shortcut menu.

Image shortcut menu with flip and rotate options
Figure 9. Flip and rotate options

How to Move Images

  1. Hover your cursor over the image until it becomes a movement cursor, which is two crossed arrows.
  2. Select and hold the image with the movement cursor while dragging it to a new location.
Image with movement cursor in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 10. Image with movement cursor (enlarged to show detail)

How to Arrange Images behind Text

  1. Right-click the image.
  2. Select Arrange from the shortcut menu.
Image arrange option in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 11. Arrange option
  1. Select an option from the submenu:
    • Bring to Front moves the image to the top of all other objects (e.g., text boxes or other images).
    • Send to Back moves the image below all other objects.
    • Bring Forward moves the image up one layer.
    • Send Back moves the image down one layer.
Arrange submenu in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 12. Arrange submenu

Depending on the number of text boxes and images you have layered over one another, you may have to experiment with these options until you achieve the desired visual effect.

Related Resources

How to Add and Format Text in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat

How to Add Headers and Footers to PDFs in Adobe Acrobat

How to Add Headers and Footers to PDFs in Adobe Acrobat

Updated September 24, 2022

Filed Under: Adobe Acrobat Tagged With: Acrobat Standard, Adobe Acrobat DC, formatting

Home » How to Insert and Modify Images in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Author

Technical Writer and Editor Erin Wright

Hello! My name is Erin. I am a technical writer and editor who shares writing-related software tutorials on this website and on YouTube.

Recent Tutorials

How to Create Printable Address Labels with Images in Microsoft Word

How to Create Run-In Headings in Microsoft Word (Indented & Left-Aligned)

How to Insert Text into Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Export PDF Tables from Adobe Acrobat to Excel (PC & Mac)

How to Insert Images into Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

Explore More Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

Footer

  • Microsoft Word Tutorials
  • Adobe Acrobat Tutorials
  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Writing Tips
  • Editing Tips
  • Writing-Related Resources
  • About Me
  • Contact
Email: erinwrightwriting@gmail.com
Phone: 708-669-9503

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© Erin Wright, 2012–2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website’s owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Erin Wright with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.