Skip to content
Free embedded-file extractor

Extract PDF attachments

Find and download files embedded inside a PDF, including document attachments, associated files, and file-annotation attachments.

No file upload ZIP or individual downloads Source PDF unchanged

Broad attachment discovery

Checks document name trees, PDF associated-file arrays, and file-attachment annotations on every page.

Original bytes recovered

Decodes supported PDF stream filters and downloads the embedded file bytes without converting their content.

Private and non-executing

Extraction and ZIP creation run locally. Files are downloaded as data and never previewed or executed by the tool.

Before you start

Verified facts

Check access, supported files, limits, and processing before choosing a document.

Free

The core task does not require an account.

A PDF can contain complete files inside the document package, appearing in an attachments panel or connected to a paperclip-style file annotation. Common examples include spreadsheets, XML invoice data, source documents, images, and supporting evidence — all extractable individually or as a ZIP.

Price
Free — no account needed
Account
Not required
Processing
Processed locally in your browser without an application document-processing request
Formats
PDF (exports the embedded files)
File limit
Up to 100 MB — up to 500 attachments per PDF
Browser support
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Clear, practical guidance

What are PDF attachments?

Extract PDF Attachments is a browser-based tool that lets you download files embedded inside a PDF. Choose PDF, use the controls above to configure the result, then download or use the resulting Embedded files or ZIP. The core workflow runs locally in your browser without an application document-processing request. See formats, limits, and processing.

A PDF can contain complete files inside the document package. These may appear in an attachments panel, be associated with the document or a page, or be connected to a paperclip-style file annotation. Common examples include spreadsheets, XML invoice data, source documents, images, and supporting evidence.

EditPDF AI checks the document embedded-files name tree, associated-file arrays, and page file annotations. It decodes supported embedded-file streams and lets you download the original bytes individually or package multiple files into a ZIP. The PDF itself is never changed.

Practical examples

Common ways people use this tool in real documents and day-to-day workflows.

Accounting and finance teams

Recover XML, CSV, spreadsheet, or receipt data packaged inside invoice and archival PDF files.

Legal and compliance teams

Collect supporting documents, exhibits, and evidence embedded in a PDF without manually opening every attachment annotation.

Design and production teams

Retrieve source images, data files, and other assets included with a delivered PDF package.

Researchers and archivists

Extract supplementary datasets and source materials stored as PDF associated files or standard attachments.

At a glance

Focused workflow

Download files embedded inside a PDF.

Supported workflow

Accepts PDF and produces Embedded files or ZIP. Up to 100 MB — up to 500 attachments, 200 MB per file, 300 MB total extracted data

Access and processing

Core tool with browser-based document processing.

Three simple steps

How it works

  1. 1

    Choose your PDF

    Select a PDF up to 100 MB. The document is read locally and remains unchanged.

  2. 2

    Review detected attachments

    The tool scans document attachments, associated files, and file annotations, then shows each filename, size, declared type, and source.

  3. 3

    Download safely

    Download one file at a time or create a ZIP for multiple attachments. Filenames are sanitized, but unknown extracted files should still be scanned before opening.

Know before you upload

Formats, limits & privacy

Confirm that your file is supported and understand how this tool handles document data.

Input formats
PDF
Output formats
Embedded filesZIP
File limit
Up to 100 MB — up to 500 attachments, 200 MB per file, 300 MB total extracted data
Privacy & security

PDF inspection, stream decoding, and ZIP creation run locally in your browser without an application document-processing request.

Optional comparison

Extract PDF Attachments vs. doing it manually

Open this comparison if you are deciding between the browser workflow and a manual process.

Compare the workflows
Doing it manually

Open every page manually looking for a paperclip icon or attachments panel.

With Extract PDF Attachments

Scans embedded files, associated files, and page attachments automatically.

Doing it manually

Save each attachment one at a time, renaming as you go.

With Extract PDF Attachments

Download every attachment at once as a single ZIP file.

Doing it manually

Open an unfamiliar embedded file straight from the PDF viewer.

With Extract PDF Attachments

Review filename, size, and declared type before downloading anything.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Which PDF attachments can this tool find?
It checks the standard EmbeddedFiles name tree, document and page associated-file arrays, and FileAttachment annotations. This covers ordinary attachment panels, common PDF/A-3 associated files, and paperclip-style page attachments.
Does extraction change the original PDF?
No. The tool only reads the PDF and creates separate downloads. It does not rewrite, remove, or save changes to the source document.
Are extracted attachments safe to open?
Not necessarily. An embedded file can contain active content or malware just like an email attachment. The tool does not preview or execute extracted content. Scan files from unknown sources before opening them.
Why might an attachment not be extracted?
A damaged PDF, password protection, non-standard embedded-file structure, unsupported stream encoding, or browser memory limits can prevent extraction. The tool supports up to 500 files, 200 MB per extracted file, and 300 MB total extracted data.
Can I download every attachment at once?
Yes. When multiple files are found, use Download all as ZIP. Duplicate and unsafe filenames are normalized so files cannot create unintended folders inside the archive.
Is my PDF or its attachments uploaded?
No. PDF inspection, stream decoding, and ZIP creation all run locally inside your browser.
Learn more

Guides & real-world workflows

Popular solutions: Students · Job Seekers · Freelancers · Small Businesses
All role workflows →
Core PDF tool

Ready to use Extract PDF Attachments?

Download files embedded inside a PDF Return to the tool above to choose your file, or browse the complete PDF toolkit for another task.

Use Extract PDF AttachmentsBrowse all PDF tools