Many encounter challenges when trying to incorporate PDF files into Excel seamlessly. Directly embedding PDFs into cells can be cumbersome, especially with multipage PDFs or complex layouts. But fear not, there's a more effective solution: inserting PDFs into Excel as images.
In this blog, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of integrating PDFs as images into Excel sheets. By converting PDFs to images and placing them within your spreadsheet, you can unlock a world of possibilities – from consolidating data to enriching reports with visual content. Let's dive in and discover how to insert a PDF into Excel as an image, taking your Excel experience to the next level.
Understanding the Need to Insert PDFs into Excel
Sometimes, beyond mere numbers and text, you may need to add more interactive elements to a spreadsheet, such as reports, diagrams, presentations, etc. What’s more, in some cases, all the information you need may be contained in a PDF document. That’s the reason you will require to bridge the gap between PDFs and Excel spreadsheets. Directly insert PDF into Excel would be a go-to choice, while it has some limitations. So, we recommend you insert PDF into Excel as image, improving your workbooks in all aspects.
Why Insert PDF into Excel as Image?
Directly inserting PDF into Excel may cause many inconveniences since you cannot open a PDF file in Microsoft Excel straightforwardly. And sometimes, you may only need to use selected information in a PDF file, while inserting a whole PDF file makes the process less helpful. For example, you will spend more time locating the needed info. And accordingly, the Excel workbook will be increased with more file size.
However, if you insert PDF into Excel as an image, you can only use the needed picture and insert it anywhere you require. An image can be viewed on Microsoft Excel straightforwardly, without asking for help from an image viewer. In addition, you can also ignore all the unnecessary info contained in other images.
Converting PDF to Image Format
To insert PDF into Excel as images, the first thing you need to do is to convert PDF to image formats. Microsoft Excel supports inserting pictures in almost all formats, including JPG, PNG, ICO, WebP, SVG, and more. In this part, we’ll show you how to convert PDF to images on different devices.
Output PDFs to Images on Windows
SwifDoo PDF is a Windows-based PDF converter that can help you convert PDF to PNG, JPG, BMP, and TIF. It’s an all-around PDF editor with multiple PDF conversions supported, including PDF to Office documents, images, EPUB, HTML, TXT, CAD drawings, Markdown, PDF/A, XPS, and vice versa. If you have multiple PDF files that need to be converted, SwifDoo PDF can also help you convert files in bulk.
Let’s explore the specific steps for turning PDFs into images:
Step 1. Install SwifDoo PDF on your PC by clicking the following download button.
Step 2. Sign up for a SwifDoo account and log in to it.
Step 3. On its homepage, click on PDF to Image. Upload your PDF files that need to be converted.
Step 4. Select a preferred image format and resolution. Then press Start.
Online Converter Helps Generate Images from PDF
If, in any case, you don't want to waste time downloading desktop programs, utilizing an online PDF converter would be a better way to go. And luckily, SwifDoo PDF also has an online PDF converter that helps you convert PDFs online with ease. This online converter supports most of the conversions we've mentioned before, including PDF to images service. And you don't need to log in to any account to process the conversion, guaranteeing an easier conversion process than many other tools. Here are the details:
Step 1. Navigate to the official website of SwifDoo PDF and click Convert PDF.
Step 2. Select PDF to Image in the left pane and upload a PDF from your local folder.
Step 3. Download the converted images from the website.
However, admittedly, using SwifDoo PDF online converter to turn PDFs into images has some flaws, one is it doesn’t support batch conversion, and the other is you can only convert PDF to JPG and PNG. Nevertheless, as we’ve introduced already, all these limits can be avoided by using SwifDoo PDF desktop program.
- Annotate PDFs by adding notes, bookmarks, etc.
- Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other editable files
- Edit, compress, organize, and split PDFs
Free Save PDFs as Images on macOS
If you’re running macOS, saving PDF as image would be much easier with Preview’s aid. Preview is a pre-installed image/PDF viewer and editor on Mac. It enables you to perform basic functions to edit images and PDFs. And saving PDFs as images on a Mac is also effortless because you only need to output a PDF to image without downloading other converters or using any online tools. When using Preview to convert PDF to images, you can select HEIC, JPG, PNG, and TIFF, which can meet your requirements well.
Speaking of saving PDFs as images in Preview, simply open the PDF file you want to insert into Excel with the Preview app. Then click File > Export and select an image format in the Format drop-down menu. Adjust other related settings and click on Save to finish this conversion.
Also Read: 5 Easy Methods to Insert PDF into PowerPoint >>
Insert the Converted PDF Image into Excel
Now that you’ve converted PDF to images successfully, let’s see how to insert PDF images into Excel. In this part, we’ll show you two commonly used methods that help add pictures to a workbook.
Insert Illustrations to Workbook
Open an Excel spreadsheet that you want to insert PDF images. Click Insert > Illustrations. Tap Pictures and choose This Device. Then select all the needed PDF images and click on Insert. Adjust these pictures’ location, size, and other settings.
Copy and Paste PDF Images into Excel
If you only need to insert one PDF image into Excel, there’s an easier way for your reference: copy and paste the PDF image into Excel directly. By using this method, all you need to do is to copy an image (Ctrl/Command +C) and paste it (Ctrl/ Command +V) into the Excel spreadsheet. Then adjust the size and location.
How to Easily Insert a PDF into a Word Document [2024]
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READ MORE >Conclusion
That’s all about how to insert PDF into Excel as image. After reading this blog, you’ll find it’s quite easy because you only need to convert PDF to image and insert the image into an Excel workbook. No matter what operating system you’re running, we’ve got you covered. Let SwifDoo PDF helps streamline your workflow and boost productivity now!
Monica