Quick Links

If you have a PDF file that you would like to convert to a PowerPoint presentation, you can download a program to quickly do the work for you, or you can use one of the many available online converters.

Convert a PDF File to PowerPoint Using Adobe Acrobat DC

Adobe Acrobat has a couple of different software options for handling PDF files to choose from---Acrobat Standard DC and Acrobat Pro DC. The standard version is for Windows only, while the pro version works with both Windows and Mac.

These run for $12.99 and $14.99 per month, respectively, so unless you’re already using one of these, it’s probably not worth the money just to convert a PDF file to PowerPoint. However, Adobe Acrobat is the best program on the market for anything dealing with PDF files, so we’d recommend subscribing to one if you frequently do any sort of work with PDF files.

Best yet, Acrobat Pro DC has a free trial, so if you’re unfamiliar with Adobe Acrobat, it costs nothing to give it a try.

In this example, we’ll be using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Open the PDF file you’d like to convert. In the right-hand pane of the window, select “Export PDF”.

Export PDF option

Now, you’ll be faced with a list of different export options. Choose “Microsoft PowerPoint” from the list and select “Export”.

Export as Microsoft PowerPoint

In Windows Explorer (or Finder if you’re using Mac), select a location to save the file and select “Save”.

Save in Finder or Explorer

Open the newly saved PowerPoint and you’ll see the content of the PDF file (with each slide representing one page) in the preview pane.

PDF files in preview pane of PowerPoint

Convert a PDF File to PowerPoint Using an Online PDF Converter

There's certainly no shortage of online PDF converters---some free, some paid. We recommend Smallpdf because it’s quick, free, and keeps the format of the content pretty consistent. We’ll be using this online tool for this example, but the process isn’t too different between each converter, so feel free to play around and find one you like best.

With SmallPDF, all you need to do is drag and drop your PDF file on the converter screen, or you can use the file searcher. Whichever method you choose, once the file is uploaded, the conversion will automatically begin.

Using an online converter

Once the conversion is complete, select “Download”.

Select the download button

After the download is finished, open the newly saved PowerPoint and you’ll see the content of the PDF file (with each slide representing one page) in the preview pane.

PDF files in preview pane of PowerPoint