Extract Attachments

Upload PDF files to extract all embedded attachments. Files will be downloaded as a ZIP archive.

Click to select PDFs or drag and drop

Multiple PDF files supported

Your files never leave your device.

What are PDF Attachments?

PDF attachments are files embedded within a PDF document that can include images, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or any other file type. Unlike regular content, attachments are separate files stored within the PDF container.

Common types of PDF attachments:

  • Supporting Documents: Contracts with supporting evidence files
  • Source Files: Original images or design files
  • Certificates: Digital certificates and signatures
  • Spreadsheets: Excel files with raw data
  • Presentations: PowerPoint files referenced in reports
  • Media Files: Audio or video files embedded in portfolios

Key Features

  • ✓ Extract multiple attachments at once
  • ✓ Support for all file types
  • ✓ ZIP archive download
  • ✓ Preserves original filenames
  • ✓ 100% browser-based
  • ✓ No file size limits

How to Extract PDF Attachments

1

Upload PDF

Select your PDF document with embedded attachments. Process multiple files simultaneously.

2

Extract Files

Click "Extract Attachments" to scan and extract all embedded files. Processing happens locally.

3

Download ZIP

Download all extracted attachments as a single ZIP file. Original filenames are preserved.

How to tell whether a PDF contains embedded files

A PDF attachment is stored as a separate file object rather than drawn visibly on a page. Look for a paperclip or Attachments panel in a full desktop PDF reader, but do not assume that a browser preview will display it. Some documents also use file-attachment annotations placed on individual pages.

If a report mentions “attached data,” “supporting files,” or “embedded exhibits” but you cannot see them, run the PDF through this extractor. The tool lists discovered files before creating the ZIP archive. A result with no attachments may mean the PDF genuinely contains none, or that the referenced material was linked externally instead of embedded.

Attachments are different from images, fonts, and ordinary page resources. Extracting attachments does not pull every image from the document and does not split the PDF into pages.

Verify extracted files safely

Check completeness

  • Compare the discovered file count with any attachment list shown in the source PDF.
  • Confirm that filenames and extensions match what the document describes.
  • Open the downloaded ZIP locally and verify that expected files have non-zero sizes.
  • Keep the original PDF until the extracted copies have been checked.

Treat unknown files cautiously

  • Do not open executable files or macro-enabled documents from an untrusted sender.
  • Scan extracted content with your organization's approved security software.
  • Do not bypass operating-system or office-suite warnings merely because a file came from a PDF.
  • Use an isolated review environment when organizational policy requires it.

Extract, manage, or remove attachments?

Extract Attachments

Save copies of embedded files outside the PDF, usually in a ZIP archive.

Edit Attachments

Review and remove selected existing attachments while keeping the PDF.

Add Attachments

Embed new supporting files at the document or page level.

If the goal is to produce a clean copy for external sharing, review attachments first and then use Sanitize PDF for a broader hidden-content cleanup. Keep a separate archival original when embedded evidence must be preserved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our tool can extract virtually any file type embedded in PDFs, including:

  • Documents: DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, PDF
  • Spreadsheets: XLS, XLSX, CSV
  • Presentations: PPT, PPTX
  • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF
  • Archives: ZIP, RAR (though less common)
  • Media: MP3, MP4, WAV (if embedded)
  • Executables and other file types

Yes! Our tool supports batch processing:

  • Upload multiple PDF files simultaneously
  • All attachments from all PDFs are extracted
  • Files are organized in a single ZIP archive
  • Original PDF filenames are used as folder names
  • No limit on the number of PDFs you can process

While our tool extracts files exactly as they were embedded, please exercise caution:

  • Extracted files maintain their original content and format
  • Always scan downloaded files with antivirus software
  • Avoid opening executable files (.exe, .bat, .js) from untrusted sources
  • PDFs from unknown senders may contain malicious attachments
  • Use our Sanitize PDF tool to clean potentially dangerous PDFs

Password-protected PDFs require additional steps:

  • First, use our Decrypt PDF tool to remove password protection
  • Then extract attachments from the unlocked PDF
  • Some attachments may have their own passwords
  • Owner passwords (for editing) must be removed separately
  • Note: We don't support brute-force password cracking

Currently, our extraction tool provides a list of discovered attachments but doesn't offer in-browser preview. For attachment management:

  • Use our Edit Attachments tool to view and manage attachments
  • The extraction tool shows file count and total size
  • ZIP contents can be previewed after download
  • Future updates may include preview functionality
  • For now, extract and check files locally

Related guide

How to find and extract embedded files from a PDF

Learn where PDF viewers hide attachments, how document-level and page-level files differ, and how to check extracted files safely.

Read the embedded-file extraction guide

Related PDF Tools

Add Attachments

Embed files into PDFs

Edit Attachments

View & manage attachments

Sanitize PDF

Remove dangerous content