How to Insert a PDF in OneNote (2026)
OneNote can drop a PDF onto a page two ways: as a printout (every page rendered as an image you can ink and highlight over) or as a file attachment (an icon that opens the original PDF). Printouts are great for marking up; attachments keep the file intact.
1. Insert a PDF as a Printout (Windows)
This lays the PDF pages directly on the note so you can annotate them.
- Click where you want the PDF to land.
- Go to the Insert tab.
- Click File Printout.
- Pick your PDF and click Insert.
Each page appears stacked vertically. Use the Draw tab to ink, or Insert > highlight to mark them up.
2. Attach a PDF as a File
To keep the original file usable:
- Insert tab > File Attachment.
- Choose the PDF, then select Attach File.
A clickable icon appears; double-click it to open the PDF in your default reader.
3. OneNote on Mac
Mac OneNote supports attachments but not File Printout. Use Insert > File (or Attach File) to embed the PDF as an icon. To annotate a PDF on Mac, open it in Preview, mark it up, and drag the pages into OneNote as images.
4. OneNote on the Web
At onenote.com/notebooks, use Insert > File to attach a PDF. The web app can’t generate printouts — do that in the desktop app and the printout will sync to the web.
5. Troubleshooting
File Printout is greyed out or missing
You’re in OneNote on Mac or the web, which don’t support printouts. Use the Windows desktop app.
Only the first page shows up
Large PDFs can take a moment to render every page. Wait for sync, or split the PDF and insert in sections.
The printout is blurry
OneNote rasterizes PDFs at screen resolution. For sharp text, attach the file instead and open the original.
Related OneNote guides: How to export OneNote to PDF · How to insert a table · How to share a notebook · How to use tags · How to link notes
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