How do I edit PDF in Visio using the Insert PDF add-in?

Steps for converting PDF files to Visio

Insert PDF for Visio is a simple yet powerful add-in enabling you to open and edit PDF in Visio. It makes simple work of importing PDF diagrams for full modification in Visio. If you need to convert multiple files or need advanced options, please have a look at pdf2picture or PDF FLY.

Follow these steps to open PDF drawings using the Insert PDF in Visio add-in:

1.    Install Insert PDF on your PC. After this, launch Visio. You see that an icon to “Open PDF” has been added at the end of the “Insert” menu ribbon. Click on this button and then select your file.

Visio toolbar with Open PDF highlighted to edit PDF in Visio

2. Once you have selected your file, you’ll see some options to optimize your conversion. These are:

  • Import Page: When you have a multi-page file, you’ll need to specify which page you want to open.
  • Page Size: You can choose to open the drawing based on the page size specified in the PDF file or fit the drawing to your page size.
  • Rotate: You can rotate the page 90-degrees to the right or to the left.
  • Object Options: Select the Object options as needed. You’ll find details for each of these in the Help file.
Insert PDF options

3. Once you have clicked “Insert”, you should now see the converted drawing on your screen. Important! The drawing is imported as one grouped object and needs to be ungrouped if you wish to edit, remove or add parts of the drawing. To Ungroup your drawing, right-click and select Grouping, Ungroup.

Ungroup the diagram to enable modification features

3.    When ungrouped, Visio will highlight every individual object in pink. In order to deselect everything, you need to click anywhere on the page outside of the drawing boundaries. You are now ready to edit PDF in Visio – all objects, text, patterns, colors, line-widths and other attributes.

Convert PDF to Visio where all objects are editable

4.    Once the drawing is ungrouped and the objects are deselected, you may select whatever you want to change and it will appear with editing handles.

modify one object using handles

Contact Us if you have problems trying to convert PDF to Visio using Insert PDF. The best way to get help is to send the file you are having trouble with along with any comments to support@visual-integrity.com. We’re happy to help!