How To Open & Edit PDFs in Google Docs

Are PDFs & Google Docs a Perfect Match?

PDFs are fantastic for sharing documents—they keep your content looking uniform and professional, no matter where they’re viewed. But editing them? That’s where things can get tricky. Google Docs makes it easier by offering a way to upload, open, and even adjust PDFs. While it’s not a full-on editing powerhouse, it’s super handy for quick fixes or tweaks.

Uploading Your PDF to Google Docs Made Easy

Before you can do anything with your PDF in Google Docs, it first needs to land in Google Drive. Here’s how to get that done:

1. Head to Google Drive and sign in.
2. If your Drive is a mess (no judgment!), consider creating a folder for your PDFs to keep things tidy.
3. Click the “New” button and select “File Upload.”
4. Find your PDF file and let it upload.
5. Once it’s there, double-check that you can locate it easily.

A little organization now saves frustration later, especially if you aren’t sorting files by name.

A Quick Walkthrough on Opening a PDF in Google Docs

Now that your PDF is in Google Drive, it’s time to open it in Google Docs. Here’s how:

1. Locate your PDF in Drive and right-click on it.
2. Select “Open With” and choose “Google Docs.”
3. The PDF will open in Docs, ready for you to edit.

Just a heads up—Google might reformat your PDF when opening it in Google Docs, especially if your file has complex layouts or fancy fonts. If this happens to you, try using our PDF Converter to switch it to Word—or DOCX—format. This can sometimes prevent the document layouts from shifting.

If you’re running into errors, check that the file isn’t too large or locked. Google Docs can only open files with sizes up to 50 MB. For protected files, you may need to remove restrictions or ask the file’s owner for access. Our Unlock PDF tool can often remove restrictions if the PDF was saved using simple encryption.

Pro tip: If you have Smallpdf’s Google Workspace App installed, you can open your PDF in Smallpdf from your Google Drive, without having to upload it again.

What You Need to Know About Editing PDFs in Google Docs

Editing in Google Docs works well for simpler PDFs, but it’s not perfect. Text is usually editable, but images and formatting might shift around. If the original PDF used non-standard fonts, you should expect it to be replaced by a default font, which could also cause layout shifts. Keep these tips in mind:

For text edits, just click and type. You can also adjust fonts, sizes, or styles as needed. To work with images, you might need to reposition or replace them if they don’t look right Formatting can get quirky—tables, for example, might not translate perfectly. Be patient and tweak as needed.

Saving or Sharing Your Edited PDF

Once your edits are done, saving or sharing the document is a breeze.

To save it as a PDF, click “File,” then “Download,” and choose “PDF document.” If you’re sticking with Google Docs for now, just close the document.

Want to share it? Google Drive lets you send links or share directly via email. Need to embed the file into another PDF? Download the final version as a PDF and use Merge PDF to combine it with the other PDF. You can also rearrange pages of the merged documents, if necessary.

Alternatives to Google Docs for Editing PDFs

If you’re running into limitations with Google Docs, try using Smallpdf’s Edit PDF tool that lets you work on PDFs without the formatting headaches, while also offering options for annotations, signatures, and more. Some features of Edit PDF are only available with a Pro subscription, though you can also register for a free 7-day trial to access them. But for quick, no-frills edits of basic documents, Google Docs is still a solid, free option.

FAQs About Opening & Editing PDFs in Google Docs

Why can’t I insert a PDF into Google Docs?

Google Docs doesn’t allow you to directly insert a PDF into an existing document. If you’re looking to embed a file into a PDF, tools like Smallpdf’s Merge PDF are better suited for combining or inserting documents.

How do I make a PDF compatible with Google Docs?

Simpler PDFs, such as text-based ones, work best in Google Docs. Avoid uploading password-protected PDFs unless you’ve removed the restrictions using Unlock PDF first. If your file has a lot of images, tables, or unique fonts, some formatting may be lost. To improve compatibility, consider converting your PDF to a Word document using our PDF Converter before uploading it to Google Drive. This can help reduce layout errors when the file opens in Docs.

How do I move a PDF into a Google Doc?

Uploading the PDF to Google Drive is the first step. Once it’s in Drive, right-click the file and select “Open With” to choose Google Docs. This action converts the PDF into an editable Google Doc but remember that the layout and appearance might shift. If you frequently work with PDFs, creating a dedicated folder in Drive can help you stay organized and make files easier to find when you need them.

How do I get Google to open PDF files?

Make sure the PDF is uploaded to Google Drive, as Google Docs can’t directly open files from your computer. Right-click the file in Drive and choose Open With > Google Docs to view and edit it. If you’re on a mobile device, use the Google Drive app to open and preview PDFs. For more advanced options like annotations or adding comments, try opening the PDF with one of Smallpdf’s suite of PDF tools.

That’s it—you’re all set to open a PDF in Google Docs, make edits, and share. Give it a try, and see how easy managing PDFs can be!