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A PDF document is filled with all kinds of content, including text or images, that you might want to import elsewhere. If you're creating a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, you can insert a PDF document by following these steps.

Before we begin, you should be aware of the two ways you can do this. First, you can take a screenshot of your PDF document and insert that screenshot as a picture. Alternatively, you could insert the PDF as an object, linking to the document so that you can open it during a presentation.

Inserting a Screenshot Image of a PDF Document

The first option, taking a screenshot, can be done manually, but there's an option within Microsoft PowerPoint itself to create a screenshot.

RELATED: How to Screenshot on Windows 10

To use this, you'll need to have both your PDF document and Microsoft PowerPoint presentation open. Start within PowerPoint and then click the "Insert" tab in your ribbon.

Make sure to scroll to the point in your PDF document that you want to screenshot before switching to PowerPoint.

From the "Insert" tab, click the "Screenshot" button in the "Images" section.

This will bring up thumbnails showing each currently open window.

Click on the thumbnail that shows your open PDF document to select it.

This process will then insert a screenshot of your open PDF document window into the PowerPoint presentation. From here, you can crop your screenshot, resize it, and position it.

RELATED: How to Crop Pictures in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2010

Alternatively, you can click the "Screen Clipping" button in the "Screenshot" options menu. Like the snipping tool in Windows 10, this will let you take a partial screenshot of your PDF document. This might be useful if you want to copy a particular picture or block of text, for instance.

Use your mouse to select the area around your partial screenshot. PowerPoint will automatically paste this into your presentation once you've selected the area.

Inserting a PDF Document as an Object

If you insert a PDF document as a screenshot, you see the contents of a single page only. You can insert a PDF document as an object instead, acting as a link to the document that will enable you to refer to the PDF document at a separate point during a PowerPoint presentation.

To do that, click the "Insert" tab in the ribbon and then select the "Object" button in the "Text" section.

To insert a link to a PDF document into PowerPoint, click Insert > Object

In the "Insert Object" selection menu, select "Create from File" and then click "Browse" to select your saved PDF document.

In PowerPoint's insert object menu, click Create from File and then click Browse

Make sure your PDF document is closed before you select it, or an error will be generated.

Next, locate and select your saved PDF document using the Explorer window before clicking "OK" twice to insert it into your presentation.

A PDF document inserted as an object in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation

The PDF document will appear as an object. You can then resize it and place it in a suitable position.

Double-clicking on the PDF object will launch it inside your chosen PDF reader. This will work in the editing mode and during the presentation itself, when you can refer to your PDF file before returning to the main presentation.

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