This tutorial shows two ways to insert files into existing PDFs in Adobe Acrobat.
The first method uses the Page Thumbnails panel. This method allows you to insert files from within the main document window. The second way uses the Organize Pages toolbar. This method requires you to leave the main document window but provides an easier interface for rearranging pages.
Quick Links:
- How to Insert Files Using the Page Thumbnails Panel
- How to Insert Files Using the Organize Pages Toolbar
The inserted files can be PDFs, images, or files from another application on your computer such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.
The inserted files will be converted to the PDF format. So, files with interactive properties (such as Excel files) will be “flattened” to a text format. (However, the original file will not be affected.)
If you want to merge files without converting them to PDFs, please see “How to Create a PDF Portfolio in Adobe Acrobat.” In addition, you can attach files without converting them to PDFs, as shown in “How to Attach Files to PDFs in Adobe Acrobat.”
This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
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The images below are from Adobe Acrobat Pro (2022 version). These steps also apply to Adobe Acrobat 2020 and Adobe Acrobat 2017. Plus, the steps are similar for PC and Mac. The slight differences between the two platforms will be explained within the individual steps.
Adobe’s free PDF display software, Acrobat Reader, does not have a tool for inserting files into PDFs.
How to Insert Files Using the Page Thumbnails Panel
- Open the PDF into which you want to insert the file.
- Select the Page Thumbnails icon.
Pro Tip: If you don’t see the Page Thumbnails icon, select the Navigation pane open arrow on the left side of the screen.
- Select the Options button in the Page Thumbnails panel.
- Select Insert Pages from the drop-down menu.
- Select From File from the submenu.
- Locate and select the file in the Select File To Insert dialog box.
Pro Tip for Mac Users: If the file is grayed out, select the Options button and then select All Files in the Show menu.
- Select the Open button (PC) or Select button (Mac).
- Choose the location where you want to insert the file in the Insert Pages dialog box.
8.a. Select Before or After from the Location menu.
8.b. Select First, Last, or enter a specific page number before or after which the file will be inserted.
8.c. Select the OK button.
If the inserted file came from another application, such as Microsoft Word or Excel, you will momentarily see a dialog box displaying the conversion progress.
The inserted file should appear as a new page or pages in the Page Thumbnails panel.
- (Optional) Click, hold, and drag a page to a new location. Release the page when you see a blue bar where it should be inserted.
10. Save your PDF to save your changes.
How to Insert Files Using the Organize Pages Toolbar
- Open the PDF into which you want to insert the file.
- Select the Tools tab.
- Select Organize Pages from the Tools Center.
- Select the Insert button in the Organize Pages toolbar.
- Select From File from the drop-down menu.
- Locate and select the file in the Select File To Insert dialog box (see figure 6).
- Select the Open button (PC) or Select button (Mac). (see figure 8).
- Choose the location where you want to insert the file in the Insert Pages dialog box.
8.a. Select Before or After from the Location menu (see figure 9).
8.b. Select First, Last, or enter a specific page number before or after which the file will be inserted (see figure 10).
8.c. Select the OK button (see figure 11).
If the inserted file came from another application, such as Microsoft Word or Excel, you will momentarily see a dialog box displaying the conversion progress (see figure 12).
The inserted file should appear as a new page or pages in the Organize Pages screen.
- (Optional) Click, hold, and drag a page to a new position. Release the page when you see a blue bar where it should be inserted.
- Select the Close button in the Organize Pages toolbar.
- Save your PDF to save your changes.
Related Resources
How to Duplicate Pages in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)
How to Split a PDF into Multiple PDFs in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)
How to Insert PDFs into Microsoft Word Documents (PC & Mac)
Updated June 17, 2023