We’ve all created presentations at some point in school, college, or at work. These slides typically include text, images, audio clips, or even video files. Back then, nobody really thought about inserting PDF files into presentations, since it wasn’t something that was commonly done. However, times have changed, and PDFs have become the standard format for many documents. So, if you’re wondering how to insert a PDF into Google Slides, you’re in the right place.
PDFs often contain valuable information, such as pie charts, tables, graphs, images, and essential text. While you could spend time recreating these elements to insert into your slides, why waste the effort when the data is already available? Unfortunately, Google Slides doesn’t offer a direct option to insert PDF files, but there is a workaround to help you out. Here’s how you can do it:
How to Insert PDF Files into Google Slides
Though there are various add-ons available for Google Slides, there isn’t a dedicated “Insert PDF” add-on. While that might seem like a limitation for some, there’s still a simple way to add PDF content to your slides. Follow these steps:
Steps to Insert PDF into Google Slides
- Open Google Slides and prepare your presentation.
- Review your PDF: Check the PDF to determine how many pages it contains. If the PDF is short (between 3 to 5 pages), and you only need specific pages, taking a screenshot might be the easiest option.
- If you’re using a Windows PC, you can check out this guide on how to take screenshots.
- For Larger PDFs: If your PDF has many pages, you can use an online PDF-to-image converter to extract the content. One of the most popular tools for this is I Love PDF, which is free and easy to use. Here’s how:
- Go to the online PDF-to-JPG converter on I Love PDF.
- Upload your PDF by dragging and dropping it or clicking the “Select PDF” button.
- Once uploaded, choose whether you want to extract images from the PDF or convert each page into an image.
- Click the “Convert to JPG” button and wait for the process to complete.
- Once converted, you’ll see a “Download JPG Images” button. Click it, and the images will be downloaded as a ZIP file.
- Extract and Upload: Extract the images from the ZIP file on your computer.
- Insert Images into Google Slides:
- Go to Google Slides, and click on “Insert” in the menu.
- Select “Image” and then “Upload from Computer.”
- Browse for the images you want to upload and insert them into your slides.

Why You Might Want to Insert a PDF into Google Slides
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let’s first discuss why inserting a PDF into Google Slides might be a good idea.
You may want to insert a PDF because it often contains content you need for your presentation that isn’t easily replicated in Google Slides. Whether it’s charts, images, or even textual data, PDFs are a common way to share documents, but embedding them into Google Slides can save you time, enhance your presentation, and ensure that everything stays intact.
Perhaps you’re presenting a report, or your client has provided you with a document that you want to reference quickly. Maybe you want to embed PDF documents into your slides to give your audience direct access to the file. No matter the case, integrating PDFs into Google Slides makes your presentation more interactive and informative.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even though inserting PDF files into Google Slides is easy, here are some pitfalls you should avoid:
- Low-Resolution Images: If the PDF has fine text or detailed images, low-resolution screenshots may not look good. Always use high-quality images to maintain readability.
- Overcrowding the Slide: Avoid placing too many PDF images on one slide, as this can overwhelm the audience. Break them up across multiple slides.
- Broken Links: Ensure that the links to your Google Drive PDFs are working correctly before your presentation begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I directly insert a PDF file into Google Slides?
No, Google Slides does not currently offer an option to directly insert PDF files. However, you can convert the PDF into images and then insert those images into your slides.
How do I convert a PDF into images for Google Slides?
You can use an online tool like I Love PDF to convert the PDF pages into JPG images. Once converted, you can download the images and upload them to your Google Slides presentation.
What if my PDF has multiple pages?
If your PDF has many pages, you can choose to either convert each page to an image or extract only the relevant images using a PDF-to-JPG converter. This allows you to keep your slides clean and organized.
Can I insert screenshots from a PDF into Google Slides?
Yes, if the PDF has only a few pages, you can take screenshots of the content you need and insert those images into your slides.
Are there any tools or add-ons that can help me insert PDFs into Google Slides?
Currently, there are no specific add-ons for inserting PDFs into Google Slides. However, using PDF-to-image conversion tools like I Love PDF is a simple and effective workaround.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to insert a PDF into Google Slides effectively. Whether you opt for converting your PDF into an image or embedding it directly from Google Drive, each method offers its own set of advantages. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these techniques to figure out what works best for you and your audience.
The key takeaway here is that with the right steps and tools, you can enhance your Google Slides presentations by integrating PDF documents without any hiccups. So, next time you’re working on a presentation, try incorporating a PDF into Google Slides—you’ll impress your audience with the seamless integration and clarity.