How to Embed Video in PDF [4 Proven Methods]

Summary :

By following these steps, you can effectively embed a video into your PDF, whether you use Adobe Acrobat or not, adding multimedia content to your document.

Table of Contents

How To Embed Video in PDF

How To Embed Video in PDF

When delivering a presentation or demonstration, incorporating video explanations or demonstrations within your PDF can greatly enhance the understanding of your shared content.

This article will show you how to embed videos in PDFs, with or without Adobe Acrobat. An efficient and free way is introduced for everyone, get PDFgear to get started.

Embed Video in PDF for Free

While Adobe offers a solution for embedding videos in PDFs, its subscription fee can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for a cost-free alternative, consider using PDFgear, a free PDF editor. With PDFgear, you can easily edit text, images, and videos in PDF documents without any cost.

Here’s how to embed videos in PDFs with PDFgear in just three simple steps:

Step 1. Download PDFgear for free and install it on your Windows or Mac device. Then, open your PDF in the PDFgear PDF editor.

You can also change your default PDF viewer as PDFgear for convenience.

PDFgear – Add Video to PDF for FREE

With PDFgear, you can easily add a YouTube video link to PDF documents. The process is simple and works well.

Step 2. Go to the “Edit” menu, select  “Link,” and choose “Create/Edit Link.”

Navigate to the Link Button

Navigate to the Link Button

Step 3. Draw a rectangle in the area where you want to place the video link. In the pop-up window, select “URL.” Enter the URL of the YouTube video.

Save your PDF with the new embedded link. This method adds a clickable link instead of embedding the video. Make sure your viewers have an internet connection to watch the video.

Embed Video in PDF with PDFgear

Embed Video in PDF with PDFgear

Furthermore, PDFgear offers a variety of advanced features, such as conversion, editing, rotation, cropping, printing, splitting, and merging.

👉Explore PDFgear’s free features for editing PDF files without any restrictions on file size or quantity.

Embed a YouTube Video in PDF with Adobe Acrobat

To embed a YouTube video in MOV or MP4 format in a PDF, you can add it as Rich Media using Adobe Acrobat. This way, the video is embedded in the document rather than being a clickable URL link. Thumbnails with play buttons enhance the visual appeal.

However, please note that videos might not play in all PDF viewers, such as Apple’s Preview. Additionally, using Adobe Acrobat Pro requires a paid subscription. To get started, download and install Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Step 1. Open Your PDF and Access Rich Media Tools

Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Go to the “Tools” section and click on “Rich Media.”

Access the Rich Media Option

Access the Rich Media Option

Step 2. Place the Video in the PDF

In the pop-up window, you will then have options to add 3D, a button, sound, or video.

Select the Add Video

Select the Add Video

Click “Add Video,” then drag and outline the area where you want the video to appear.

Step 3. Select and Insert Your Video

Choose your video file (MOV or MP4) from the dialog box and click “OK.” You can also choose to paste the YouTube video URL into the field.

Select File or Insert URL

Select File or Insert URL

Step 4. Add a Thumbnail Image

Click “Show Advanced Options,” select “Create Poster from File,” and add a thumbnail image (320×240 pixels, preferably with a play button).

Creare Poster from File for the Embed Video

Creare Poster from File for the Embed Video

Step 5. Save and Test

Save the PDF, close it, and reopen it to test the embedded video by clicking the play button on the thumbnail.

When embedded properly in Adobe Acrobat, the video can be played without an internet connection.

Embed Video as an Attachment in PDF

PDF attachments are external files embedded in the document, like images, PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and multimedia files such as audio or video. These embedded files add extra information, making it easy for users to access everything they need in one place.

Here is how to use Adobe Acrobat to add video to PDF as an attachment:

Step 1. Import a PDF to Adobe Acrobat

Select the PDF file > Click the right mouse button and hover over “Open with” > Select “Adobe Acrobat”.

Open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat

Open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat

Step 2. Attach Files in PDF

Click “Edit PDF” in the right panel > Select “More” > Click “Attach File” in the top toolbar to select and add the video file from your computer.

Attach File to PDF in Acrobat

Attach File to PDF in Acrobat

Embed Video as Hyperlink in PDF

Currently, it’s not possible to embed videos into PDFs for free without using Acrobat. However, you can add video hyperlinks to PDFs for free without Acrobat. The added link in the PDF will direct you to the video location.

Microsoft Word, a key program in the Office suite, offers various PDF solutions. In addition to its specialized word processing capabilities, it allows you to convert file formats, read PDFs aloud, write on PDFs, and more.

Here’s how to add a video hyperlink in Microsoft Word in just three simple steps:

Step 1. Open PDF with Microsoft Word

Double-click to open the Microsoft Word program > Navigate to “File” > “Open” > “Browse” to select and open PDF files.

Import PDF to Microsoft Word

Import PDF to Microsoft Word

Step 2. Add Hyperlink in the PDF

Use the mouse to select the anchor text, you have two ways to add the hyperlink.

1. Click “Insert” > “Link” to enter the website > Select the location of the local video folder.

2. Or right-click the mouse and select “Link”. (Shortcut “Ctrl+K”) > Type the “Address” of the video > Click “OK” to add a video in the PDF.

Add Video Hyperlink via Microsoft Word

Add Video Hyperlink via Microsoft Word

Step 3. Convert Word to PDF

After saving the document, you can upload it to PDFgear Word to PDF online converter to convert it back to PDF format.

Upload Word to PDFgear

Upload Word to PDFgear

FAQs

How to Embed Video in PDF Free?

PDFgear, a free alternative to Adobe, provides various options for embedding videos in PDFs. Follow these steps: Open your PDF in the PDFgear PDF editor. > Go to the “Edit” menu, click on “Link,” and choose “Create/Edit Link.”> Draw a box where you want the video link. In the window that pops up, select “URL” and enter the video URL, like a YouTube link.

Why Is the Video in My PDF Can Not Play?

If the video in your PDF isn’t playing when clicked, it might be due to a disabled video or an unsupported format. To fix it, use a compatible video format (such as MP4), optimize the video file size, or try different PDF software that supports the video format.

Will Embedding a Video Make My PDF File Larger?

Yes, embedding a video can significantly increase the size of your PDF file. To minimize the file size, you can use PDFgear online PDF compressor to optimize the PDF size.

Can I Embed Multiple Videos in a Single PDF?

Yes, you can embed multiple videos in a PDF as long as you have enough space and the video file formats are compatible. However, the more videos you add, the larger the file size, and the slower the loading.

How Can I Ensure That the Video Will Play in All PDF Readers?

Unfortunately, not all PDF readers support video playback. However, you can increase the likelihood that your video will play in most readers by using a compatible video format (such as MP4), optimizing the video file size, and providing clear instructions or links for accessing the video online.

How Do You Embed an MP4 in a PDF?

Adobe Acrobat Pro is compatible with MOV and MP4 files. Here’s how to add an MP4 to a PDF: Click “Rich Media” in the “Tool” menu bar > Select an area and a pop-up will appear > Upload the MP4 video from your device by clicking “Browse” > Finish by clicking “OK.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, embedding videos in PDFs can make your documents more interactive and informative. You can link a YouTube video for free using PDFgear, or use Adobe Acrobat to add videos directly or as attachments.

Each method enhances your PDFs in different ways, making them more engaging and useful for your audience.

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