3 Easy Ways to Attach a File to a PDF

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Would your PDF be better served if you attached another file to it? If you have another document that contains a further explanation or supplementary information for your main PDF, you can attach it easily. When you attach a file to a PDF, moving the PDF to another location also moves the attached document. This wikiHow article teaches you how to attach a file to a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat and Google Drive on your Windows PC or Mac.

How to Add File Attachments to a PDF

In Adobe Acrobat, select Tools > Edit PDF > More. Click "Attach File" to select your file and add a link.
Embed the file as a comment in Adobe Acrobat by clicking "Comment" and selecting the paperclip icon.
Upload the PDF to Google Drive and use the Add Attachments to PDF File add-on to connect another file.

Method 1 of 3:

Adobe Acrobat (Attach & Link to File)

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Use this method to attach any type of file to an entire PDF document.
Once you attach a file, you can create a link to the file anywhere in your PDF.

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\n"> Click the Tools tab at the top-left corner of Acrobat and click "Edit PDF" option. Advertisement

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\n"> Click More . If you don't see this option, skip to the next step.

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\n"> Click Attach File . The "Add files" dialog window will appear. [1] X Research source

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You won't be able to attach an EXE, ZIP, or VBS file due to malware risks.
If you want the attached file to be available in Acrobat 5.0 and earlier, click View >Show/Hide >Navigation Panes >Attachments, click the Options menu icon, and select Show Attachments By Default.
To add a description of the attached file, click the file in the Attachments panel, click the Options menu icon, select Edit Description, and type your description.

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Scroll to the place in your PDF where you'd like to create a link.
Click the Tools menu and select Edit PDF.
Click Link.
Click Add or Edit.
When the "Create Link" box appears, select a style for your link.
Click Go to a Page View and click Next.
Choose a page number and view, and then click Set Link.

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You can also press Ctrl + S (PC) or Cmd + S (Mac).
If you share your PDF with anyone else, they will see the attached documents in the Attachments tab of Adobe Acrobat.

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Adobe Acrobat (Embed as a Comment)

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Use this method if you want to attach a file as a comment, such as if you're providing feedback to the PDF's creator.
When you attach a file as a comment, you'll be placing an icon for the attached file at a specific location in the PDF. When somebody double-clicks the icon, the attached file will open.

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If you don't see the word Comment on the right toolbar, click its icon instead. The icon looks like a chat bubble.

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Click the Attachment icon. It's the paperclip with a + symbol in the toolbar at the top of the document.

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\n"> Click Attach File on the menu. You'll see this option on the menu at the top of the window.

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Click where you want to attach the file. Click anywhere in the PDF to place the attachment. This opens your computer's file browser.

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Once the file is attached, you can select your preferences for the icon that represents the attached file in the "File Attachment Properties" box.
If you want to delete an attachment, right-click its icon, then select Delete.
You can also insert an image directly into your PDF.

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You can also press Ctrl/Cmd + S.
When you share the file with others, they'll see your attached file in the Comments list on the right side of the file. [3] X Research source
If the Comments list isn't visible, click the Tools bar and select Comment.

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Google Drive Add-on

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Go to https://drive.google.com in your web browser.
Click + New and select File upload.
Select your PDF and click Open.

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\n"> Double-click the PDF in Google Drive. This opens a preview of the file.

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Click the "Open with" menu and select Connect more apps . The "Open with" menu is at the top of the PDF preview.

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Find the "Add attachments to PDF File" app. Type add attachments into the search bar and press Enter or Return. The first result should be an app called "Add attachments to PDF File." It's the app with a white sheet of paper and a blue paperclip. Click this app to view its details.

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The app will also need access to the PDF file and the file you're attaching.
Once installed, you'll return to the preview of your PDF.

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Click the "Open with" menu and select Add attachments to PDF . This opens a window that allows you to select files.

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If you choose to attach a file from Google Drive, select the file and click Attach.
You can attach multiple files to the PDF if you'd like.
If the PDF is encrypted, you'll need to enter the password into the "Password for encrypted PDF" box decrypt it.

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Select a page number (optional). You can choose to attach the file to a specific page of the PDF. Enter a page number into the "Page Number" field, or leave it blank to attach the file to the entire PDF.

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\n"> Click Attach files to a PDF . This uploads the selected file and attaches it to your PDF.

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Save the file to your computer. Click the Save to Computer link at the bottom to save the PDF and its attached file to your computer.

Community Q&A

I am the only one who can open the attachments, why can't others open them? Community Answer

This is for security reason that the attachments should only be opened by the person for whom it is intended. The password may vary from using your ID number to date of birth.

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What version of Adobe is this for? Community Answer Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional.

Can I save a PDF attachment from a PDF document using Acrobat Reader? Community Answer

Yes you can do that, simply follow the above steps. Or, edit the current PDF and add another page, which will contain the PDF you would like to attach.

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