In today’s digital age, Google Sheets has become a powerful tool for managing and analyzing data. From tracking expenses to creating budgets and conducting surveys, its versatility knows no bounds.
But what if you need to include a PDF document within your spreadsheet? Whether it’s a detailed report, an invoice, or a product catalog, your job might sometimes require you to insert PDF in Google Sheets to provide valuable context and enhance the information you share.
This comprehensive guide will show you how to seamlessly insert PDF in Google Sheets, empowering you to unlock new possibilities and streamline your data management.
But before we jump into the nitty-gritty of today’s Google Sheets tutorial, let’s quickly look at some unique scenarios to give you a better perspective.
Let’s consider a common scenario to better understand the practical implications of adding PDFs to Google Sheets. Imagine you’re a project manager working on a construction project. Your spreadsheet contains vital information such as project milestones, budgets, and resource allocation. However, you also need to share detailed architectural drawings, specifications, and permit documents with your team.
Traditionally, you might have resorted to sharing these PDFs separately or using file-sharing platforms, creating a disjointed experience for your team members. But by incorporating the PDFs directly into your Google Sheets, you can maintain all the relevant data in one centralized location. This means your team can access the necessary files without switching between applications, making collaboration smoother and more efficient.
The following sections will delve into the precise steps required to seamlessly insert PDF in Google Sheets. Whether you’re a spreadsheet aficionado or a newcomer to the world of data management, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make your data truly comprehensive and visually engaging. So, let’s get started!
Wondering why it’s such a big deal to insert PDF in Google Sheets? Well, we have put together a list of reasons why you might want to insert PDF in Google Sheets. Check them out below.
Now that we have provided some context on why anyone might want to insert PDF in Google Sheets, it’s time we go over the step-by-step process, showing you how to add a PDF to Google Sheets.
In this section, we will show you a simple and complicated method. So, let’s start with the easy method and take things up a notch.
Let’s assume we have sample data as shown below:
And we would like to upload invoice evidence, which is in PDF format. Instead of sending them separately to either your superiors or other team members, you can insert the invoice directly into Google Sheets.
Here is how to go about it.
The first thing you want to do is go to Google Drive, which is super easy.
Step 2: New > File Upload
After gaining access to your Google Drive, navigate to the top left of your screen and click on New, then choose the option for File Upload.
Step 3: Select the file you want to upload
After clicking on the File upload option, you should be redirected to your computer, where you’ll need to choose the file you want to upload. For our example, we already have our PDF format invoice downloaded to our computer, so let’s go ahead and upload that:
Step 4: Open File
With our invoice now uploaded to Google Drive, we need to access it. So click on the newly uploaded file to open it.
Here is what our file looks like after opening it.
Step 5: Click Share and copy the link
If you look closely at the file you just opened, you’ll notice a three-dot Icon to the top right of your screen, click on it and select the option for Share.
After choosing the option for Share, Google Drive should launch a small screen with some instructions, simply navigate down and select the option for copy link.
Step 6: Open your Google Sheets File and write the name of the file to the cell
With the link to our PDF file now copied, head over to your original spreadsheet and select the cell where you want to insert the PDF. For our example, we will use cell B15. So click on that cell and write the name of the File you want to upload to the cell.
Step 7: Insert Link
Now that we have selected the cell where we want to upload our PDF file and renamed it appropriately, we need to insert the link we copied earlier. To do that, head over to the Insert menu, locate the option for Link.
With that option selected, simply paste the link you copied earlier. Google Sheets should automatically embed your PDF to that cell.
Here is what ours looks like:
Now, that’s how to insert PDF in Google Sheets. That wasn’t too hard, was it?
To insert PDF in Google Sheets using FileDrop, you first need to install the FileDrop add-on from the Google WorkSpace marketplace. For starters, add-ons are unique apps designed to improve the functionalities of Google Sheets or other Workspace apps like Google Docs, Google Forms and Google Slides.
Here is how to install the add-on.
Step 1: Extension > Add-ons
To install the FileDrop add-on, navigate to the extension menu and click on the option for Add-ons
Step 2: Search for FileDrop and Install
Once the marketplace for add-on launches, head to the search menu and search for FileDrop. With the add-on loaded, click on it to install it.
The video below provides better insight
Note: You’ll be required to grant permission to FileDrop. Google typically requires doing that for third-party add-ons.
Step 3: Refresh Your Sheet
To be able to access the FileDrop add-on, we just installed, you need to refresh your spreadsheet. You can simply do that by pressing CTRL + R on your keyboard.
Step 4: Launch FileDrop
After refreshing your spreadsheet, you’re set to launch the FileDrop add-on. Head over to the Extension menu, scroll all the way down to locate FileDrop and select the option for Start FileDrop:
If you followed the steps exactly as we showed you, the FileDrop add-on should be launched to the extreme right of your spreadsheet.
Here is what ours looks like:
Step 5: Insert PDF
Now that we have successfully launched the FileDrop add-on, we can go ahead to upload our PDF. To do that, click the option to choose the file from FileDrop. This should take you straight to your computer, where you must select the file you want to upload.
If you did everything exactly as we showed you, your spreadsheet should look something like this:
Now, that’s how to insert PDF in Google Sheets using FileDrop.
Inserting PDFs into Google Sheets offers numerous advantages for data management, collaboration, and information presentation. Incorporating PDFs directly within your spreadsheets can enhance data visualization, centralize information, streamline collaboration, simplify reporting, and improve accessibility and organization.
Today’s guide showed you two different ways to insert PDF in Google Sheets. Our guide also included screenshots and short video demos to simplify the entire process from start to finish.
With PDF integration, you can create comprehensive and visually engaging spreadsheets that provide a holistic view of your data. Whether you need to share detailed reports, invoices, product catalogs, or architectural drawings, embedding PDFs within Google Sheets ensures that all relevant information is conveniently accessible in one centralized location.
Imagine the efficiency gained when team members can access the necessary PDF documents without switching between applications or relying on external file-sharing platforms. Collaborative efforts become more streamlined and effective, promoting seamless communication and better decision-making.
