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Import a PDF into Book Creator

Import your PDF in multiple ways

Dan Kemp avatar
Written by Dan Kemp
Updated over 2 weeks ago

As well as being able to embed a PDF inside Book Creator, there is also the ability to import an entire PDF or add individual pages directly to your book.

Creating a new book using a PDF file

There are two ways that users can import PDF files into Book Creator to create a new book:

  1. In a library, select the + New Book button and then select the Import PDF or epub option.

    A screen showing the book shapes available in Book Creator. The options are portrait, square and landscape. You can select blank books or comic layout books. There is a button in the top right which says 'import PDF or ePub'

  2. In a library, select the Book options icon and then select the Import PDF or epub option.

    A screenshot shows a menu with options including "Import PDF or ePub", "Move to library", "Copy book", "Translate book", "Combine books", and "Delete book". The text "Test Library" and "17 books" are also visible.

Either way, you'll be prompted to import a file from your computer or from Google Drive.

A dialog box with the title "IMPORT" and an X icon to close it. The dialog box says "Drag a PDF or Book Creator ePub to import, or browse files" and "Import from Google Drive."

If your PDF has multiple pages, you can select which pages you want to upload and a new page will be created in your book for each one.

A view of multiple pages of a PDF. Some of them have been selected. There is a 'select all' button and a yellow 'add' button.

Note: It may take up to 10 minutes for large PDF files to show up as images on the Pages View, however if you click on the individual pages, each PDF will appear.

You'll then be prompted to choose a book shape for your imported PDFs. Any size will work, but it would be best to try and match the format of your PDF.

An image showing book shape options. The 3 options are portrait, square and landscape.

You will then be able to edit your book and use the accessibility features built-in for your PDF files.

Adding a PDF file to a book

Aside from embedding PDF files into your book, you can also add PDF files into an existing book at any time.

  1. Inside a book in edit mode, select the + button > Media tab > Files and choose the PDF you'd like to import.

    The image shows a webpage with the text "Page 8 of 8". A plus sign is highlighted in a yellow circle. A menu is open with the options "MEDIA" and "Files" highlighted in yellow boxes.

If you do it this way, once you've selected the file to upload, you'll be given the choice of either importing your PDF or embedding the PDF as a link. Choose the Add pages from your PDF option.

A dialog box with the title "IMPORT PDF". The first option is "Add pages from your PDF", which says "Convert to images in your book and then annotate with text, audio, stickers and more." The second option is "Embed PDF as a link", which says "Creates a link that opens the full PDF when reading your book." The confirm button is at the bottom.

You'll choose which pages you want to upload (if the PDF has multiple pages) but you won't be asked which format book you want, as you'll already have chosen that.

💬 Note: Uploaded files will be verified by a virus scanner prior to being uploaded into Book Creator. If your file appears to contain a virus, you will be notified with a pop-up modal, and you will be unable to add it to your book.

To learn more about using PDF files in Book Creator, check out:

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