Attach backup schedules and the supporting general ledger PDF to the audit memo file so reviewers have the original ev…
Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
Select Tools in the top menu.
Choose Protect or look for the attachment tool in the tools panel.
Click the paperclip icon or select the attachment tool from the secondary toolbar.
Click anywhere on the PDF page where you want the attachment icon to appear.
In the file dialog, browse to and select the file you want to embed, then click Open.
Choose an icon to represent the attachment and, optionally, enter a description.
Click OK to embed the file into the PDF.
Best practiceFor best compatibility, let recipients know that they may need to use Adobe Acrobat or Reader to extract embedded attachments, as some PDF viewers do not support this feature.
Save the PDF to retain the embedded attachment.
You can view and manage all embedded attachments by opening the Attachments pane in Acrobat.
This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.
| Feature | What it does | Where the file lives |
|---|---|---|
| Add a Link | Creates a clickable area that points to another location (webpage, another part of PDF, or external file). | The linked file stays in its original location; the PDF only holds the path to it. |
| Attach a File | Embeds a whole file (like a document or image) directly into the PDF. | The attached file becomes part of the PDF itself and travels with it. |
It is important to sanitize attached files because once a file is attached to a PDF, it becomes a permanent part of that PDF. If the attached file contains sensitive or private information, anyone who receives the PDF will be able to see it. Sanitizing removes this data, protecting your privacy and ensuring you only share what you intend to.
When you attach a very large file to your PDF, the size of your PDF document will increase significantly. This can make the PDF slower to open, save, and share, especially over email or slow internet connections. Consider linking to large files instead of attaching them if size is a concern.
Links & Attachments is a feature in Adobe Acrobat that lets you add other files or create clickable connections within your PDF. You can either embed a file directly into the PDF (an attachment) or create a link that points to another location or document. This makes your PDF more interactive and comprehensive.