Embed Files in PDF – Add PDF Attachments

Attach files or embed a document in your PDF at document level or on selected pages. Everything is processed locally with no upload.

Click to select PDF or drag and drop

Your files never leave your device.

Add, Manage or Extract PDF Embedded Files?

What are PDF Attachments?

PDF attachments allow you to embed files directly into a PDF document. This creates a single file package containing:

  • Your main PDF document
  • Additional files embedded within it
  • Support for any file type (PDF, DOC, XLS, ZIP, images, etc.)

Use cases include:

  • Attaching supporting documents to reports
  • Embedding source files with design PDFs
  • Adding certificates or licenses to contracts
  • Including spreadsheets with financial reports
  • Packaging multiple files for distribution

How to Add Attachments to PDF

1. Upload PDF

Select your main PDF document. All processing happens locally in your browser.

2. Add Files

Select files to attach. Choose document-level or page-level attachment options.

3. Download

Download your new PDF with embedded attachments. All original files remain intact.

Document-Level and Page-Level Attachments

Document-level attachment

Use a document-level attachment when the embedded file supports the PDF as a whole. Examples include the spreadsheet behind an annual report, a ZIP archive of project files, or a source document supplied with a published PDF.

Readers normally find these files in the PDF viewer's attachments or paperclip panel. Because viewers place that panel in different locations, mention important attachments in the visible document text.

Page-level attachment

Use a page-level attachment when a file belongs to a specific page, figure, claim, or section. This can help connect a chart to its raw CSV, an inspection page to its original photograph, or a contract clause to a supporting exhibit.

Page-level support varies by PDF viewer. Test the result in the software your recipient is likely to use, especially when the attachment is essential.

When embedding a file is the right choice

Embedding keeps a supporting file intact inside the PDF. It is different from placing an image on a page, converting a spreadsheet into visible PDF pages, or merging another PDF into the page sequence.

  • Reports and source data: include the editable spreadsheet or CSV behind charts without turning it into static page content.
  • Contracts and exhibits: keep referenced evidence or appendices with the main document while preserving each file's original format.
  • Research packages: attach datasets, supplementary images, code, or methodology files to the paper that explains them.
  • Design delivery: include source artwork, brand assets, or specifications alongside a rendered proof.

If recipients must read the supporting material as ordinary PDF pages, use Merge PDF instead. If they need the original file, embedding is the more appropriate workflow.

Attachment compatibility, size, and security

Viewer compatibility

Desktop PDF readers usually expose embedded files more clearly than browser previews or mobile viewers. Tell recipients where to look and provide a separate delivery method when an attachment is mission-critical.

File size

The finished PDF grows by approximately the size of the embedded files. Check email and portal limits, and avoid attaching duplicate or unnecessary source files.

Recipient safety

An attachment can contain executable code, macros, or other risky content. Embed only trusted files, use descriptive filenames, and never instruct recipients to bypass security warnings.

Before external distribution, use Edit Attachments to review what is already inside the PDF. To inspect a received document, use Extract Attachments and scan unknown files with appropriate security software before opening them.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can attach virtually any file type, including:

  • Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF
  • Spreadsheets: XLS, XLSX, CSV
  • Presentations: PPT, PPTX
  • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, SVG
  • Archives: ZIP, RAR, 7Z
  • Audio/Video: MP3, MP4, WAV
  • And many more...

Document-level attachments: Attached to the entire PDF document. Available regardless of which page you're viewing.

Page-level attachments: Attached to specific pages. Only available when viewing those particular pages.

Most users prefer document-level attachments for general file embedding, while page-level is useful for page-specific references.

No, there are no file size limits. Since all processing happens locally in your browser, you can attach files of any size. The only limitation is your device's memory capacity.

For extremely large attachments (1GB+), we recommend:

  • Closing unnecessary applications
  • Using a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
  • Ensuring sufficient RAM on your device

Yes, recipients can extract attached files using:

Attachments appear in the PDF's attachments panel and can be saved by recipients.

PDFup keeps the attachment workflow private by processing the selected files locally in your browser:

  • Files never leave your device
  • No uploads to any server
  • No storage of your documents
  • Processing happens locally in your browser

Local processing removes the upload and server-retention stages. You should still use a trusted device, inspect the final attachment list, and follow any rules that apply to the document.

Related guides

Learn how PDF embedded files work

Follow the complete embedding workflow, or learn how to find and recover attachments from a PDF you received.

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