How to insert file in excel

You can use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to include content from other programs, such as Word or Excel.

OLE is supported by many different programs, and OLE is used to make content that is created in one program available in another program. For example, you can insert an Office Word document in an Office Excel workbook. To see what types of content that you can insert, click Object in the Text group on the Insert tab. Only programs that are installed on your computer and that support OLE objects appear in the Object type box.

If you copy information between Excel or any program that supports OLE, such as Word, you can copy the information as either a linked object or an embedded object. The main differences between linked objects and embedded objects are where the data is stored and how the object is updated after you place it in the destination file. Embedded objects are stored in the workbook that they are inserted in, and they are not updated. Linked objects remain as separate files, and they can be updated.

Linked and embedded objects in a document

Linked and embedded objects in an Office for Windows document

1. An embedded object has no connection to the source file.

2. A linked object is linked to the source file.

3. The source file updates the linked object.

When to use linked objects

If you want the information in your destination file to be updated when the data in the source file changes, use linked objects.

With a linked object, the original information remains stored in the source file. The destination file displays a representation of the linked information but stores only the location of the original data (and the size if the object is an Excel chart object). The source file must remain available on your computer or network to maintain the link to the original data.

The linked information can be updated automatically if you change the original data in the source file. For example, if you select a paragraph in a Word document and then paste the paragraph as a linked object in an Excel workbook, the information can be updated in Excel if you change the information in your Word document.

When to use embedded objects

If you don’t want to update the copied data when it changes in the source file, use an embedded object. The version of the source is embedded entirely in the workbook. If you copy information as an embedded object, the destination file requires more disk space than if you link the information.

When a user opens the file on another computer, he can view the embedded object without having access to the original data. Because an embedded object has no links to the source file, the object is not updated if you change the original data. To change an embedded object, double-click the object to open and edit it in the source program. The source program (or another program capable of editing the object) must be installed on your computer.

Changing the way that an OLE object is displayed

You can display a linked object or embedded object in a workbook exactly as it appears in the source program or as an icon. If the workbook will be viewed online, and you don’t intend to print the workbook, you can display the object as an icon. This minimizes the amount of display space that the object occupies. Viewers who want to display the information can double-click the icon.

Embed an object in a worksheet

  1. Click inside the cell of the spreadsheet where you want to insert the object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object Object icon on the ribbon.
    Insert Object

  3. In the Object dialog box, click the Create from File tab.

  4. Click Browse, and select the file you want to insert.

  5. If you want to insert an icon into the spreadsheet instead of show the contents of the file, select the Display as icon check box. If you don’t select any check boxes, Excel shows the first page of the file. In both cases, the complete file opens with a double click. Click OK.

    Note: After you add the icon or file, you can drag and drop it anywhere on the worksheet. You can also resize the icon or file by using the resizing handles. To find the handles, click the file or icon one time.

Insert a link to a file

You might want to just add a link to the object rather than fully embedding it. You can do that if your workbook and the object you want to add are both stored on a SharePoint site, a shared network drive, or a similar location, and if the location of the files will remain the same. This is handy if the linked object undergoes changes because the link always opens the most up-to-date document.

Note: If you move the linked file to another location, the link won’t work anymore.

  1. Click inside the cell of the spreadsheet where you want to insert the object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object Object icon on the ribbon.
    Insert Object

  3. Click the Create from File tab.

  4. Click Browse, and then select the file you want to link.

  5. Select the Link to file check box, and click OK.

Create a new object from inside Excel

You can create an entirely new object based on another program without leaving your workbook. For example, if you want to add a more detailed explanation to your chart or table, you can create an embedded document, such as a Word or PowerPoint file, in Excel. You can either set your object to be displayed right in a worksheet or add an icon that opens the file.

This embedded object is a Word document.

  1. Click inside the cell of the spreadsheet where you want to insert the object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object Object icon on the ribbon.
    Insert Object

  3. On the Create New tab, select the type of object you want to insert from the list presented. If you want to insert an icon into the spreadsheet instead of the object itself, select the Display as icon check box.

  4. Click OK. Depending on the type of file you are inserting, either a new program window opens or an editing window appears within Excel.

  5. Create the new object you want to insert.

    When you’re done, if Excel opened a new program window in which you created the object, you can work directly within it.

    You can edit the embedded Word document directly in Excel.

    When you’re done with your work in the window, you can do other tasks without saving the embedded object. When you close the workbook your new objects will be saved automatically.

    Note: After you add the object, you can drag and drop it anywhere on your Excel worksheet. You can also resize the object by using the resizing handles. To find the handles, click the object one time.

Embed an object in a worksheet

  1. Click inside the cell of the spreadsheet where you want to insert the object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object.

    The Object option is on the Insert tab.

  3. Click the Create from File tab.

    The "Create from File" tab on the Object dialog box.

  4. Click Browse, and select the file you want to insert.

  5. If you want to insert an icon into the spreadsheet instead of show the contents of the file, select the Display as icon check box. If you don’t select any check boxes, Excel shows the first page of the file. In both cases, the complete file opens with a double click. Click OK.

    Note: After you add the icon or file, you can drag and drop it anywhere on the worksheet. You can also resize the icon or file by using the resizing handles. To find the handles, click the file or icon one time.

Insert a link to a file

You might want to just add a link to the object rather than fully embedding it. You can do that if your workbook and the object you want to add are both stored on a SharePoint site, a shared network drive, or a similar location, and if the location of the files will remain the same. This is handy if the linked object undergoes changes because the link always opens the most up-to-date document.

Note: If you move the linked file to another location, the link won’t work anymore.

  1. Click inside the cell of the spreadsheet where you want to insert the object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object.

    The Object option is on the Insert tab.

  3. Click the Create from File tab.

  4. Click Browse, and then select the file you want to link.

  5. Select the Link to file check box, and click OK.

    On the "Create from File" tab, select "Link to file."

Create a new object from inside Excel

You can create an entirely new object based on another program without leaving your workbook. For example, if you want to add a more detailed explanation to your chart or table, you can create an embedded document, such as a Word or PowerPoint file, in Excel. You can either set your object to be displayed right in a worksheet or add an icon that opens the file.

This embedded object is a Word document.

  1. Click inside the cell of the spreadsheet where you want to insert the object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object.

    The Object option is on the Insert tab.

  3. On the Create New tab, select the type of object you want to insert from the list presented. If you want to insert an icon into the spreadsheet instead of the object itself, select the Display as icon check box.

    The Create New tab in the Object dialog box.

  4. Click OK. Depending on the type of file you are inserting, either a new program window opens or an editing window appears within Excel.

  5. Create the new object you want to insert.

    When you’re done, if Excel opened a new program window in which you created the object, you can work directly within it.

    You can edit the embedded Word document directly in Excel.

    When you’re done with your work in the window, you can do other tasks without saving the embedded object. When you close the workbook your new objects will be saved automatically.

    Note: After you add the object, you can drag and drop it anywhere on your Excel worksheet. You can also resize the object by using the resizing handles. To find the handles, click the object one time.

Link or embed content from another program by using OLE

You can link or embed all or part of the content from another program.

Create a link to content from another program

  1. Click in the worksheet where you want to place the linked object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object.

    Excel Ribbon Image

  3. Click the Create from File tab.

  4. In the File name box, type the name of the file, or click Browse to select from a list.

  5. Select the Link to file check box.

  6. Do one of the following:

    • To display the content, clear the Display as icon check box.

    • To display an icon, select the Display as icon check box. Optionally, to change the default icon image or label, click Change Icon, and then click the icon that you want from the Icon list, or type a label in the Caption box.

    Note: You cannot use the Object command to insert graphics and certain types of files. To insert a graphic or file, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Picture.

Embed content from another program

  1. Click in the worksheet where you want to place the embedded object.

  2. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object.

    Excel Ribbon Image

  3. If the document does not already exist, click the Create New tab. In the Object type box, click the type of object that you want to create.

    If the document already exists, click the Create from File tab. In the File name box, type the name of the file, or click Browse to select from a list.

  4. Clear the Link to file check box.

  5. Do one of the following:

    • To display the content, clear the Display as icon check box.

    • To display an icon, select the Display as icon check box. To change the default icon image or label, click Change Icon, and then click the icon that you want from the Icon list, or type a label in the Caption box.

Link or embed partial content from another program

  1. From a program other than Excel, select the information that you want to copy as a linked or embedded object.

  2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy.

    The Clipboard group on the Home tab

  3. Switch to the worksheet that you want to place the information in, and then click where you want the information to appear.

  4. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click the arrow below Paste, and then click Paste Special.

  5. Do one of the following:

    • To paste the information as a linked object, click Paste link.

    • To paste the information as an embedded object, click Paste. In the As box, click the entry with the word «object» in its name. For example, if you copied the information from a Word document, click Microsoft Word Document Object.

Change the way that an OLE object is displayed

  1. Right-click the icon or object, point to object typeObject (for example, Document Object), and then click Convert.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To display the content, clear the Display as icon check box.

    • To display an icon, select the Display as icon check box. Optionally, you can change the default icon image or label. To do that, click Change Icon, and then click the icon that you want from the Icon list, or type a label in the Caption box.

Control updates to linked objects

You can set links to other programs to be updated in the following ways: automatically, when you open the destination file; manually, when you want to see the previous data before updating with the new data from the source file; or when you specifically request the update, regardless of whether automatic or manual updating is turned on.

Set a link to another program to be updated manually

  1. On the Data tab, in the Connections group, click Edit Links.

    Excel Ribbon Image

    Note: The Edit Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain links to other files.

  2. In the Source list, click the linked object that you want to update. An A in the Update column means that the link is automatic, and an M in the Update column means that the link is set to Manual update.

    Tip: To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object. To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

  3. To update a linked object only when you click Update Values, click Manual.

Set a link to another program to be updated automatically

  1. On the Data tab, in the Connections group, click Edit Links.

    Excel Ribbon Image

    Note: The Edit Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain links to other files.

  2. In the Source list, click the linked object that you want to update. An A in the Update column means that the link will update automatically, and an M in the Update column means that the link must be updated manually.

    Tip: To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object. To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

  3. Click OK.

Issue: I can’t update the automatic links on my worksheet

The Automatic option can be overridden by the Update links to other documents Excel option.

To ensure that automatic links to OLE objects can be automatically updated:

  1. Click the Microsoft Office Button Office button image, click Excel Options, and then click the Advanced category.

  2. Under When calculating this workbook, make sure that the Update links to other documents check box is selected.

Update a link to another program now

  1. On the Data tab, in the Connections group, click Edit Links.

    Excel Ribbon Image

    Note: The Edit Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain linked information.

  2. In the Source list, click the linked object that you want to update.

    Tip: To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object. To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

  3. Click Update Values.

Edit content from an OLE program

While you are in Excel, you can change the content linked or embedded from another program.

Edit a linked object in the source program

  1. On the Data tab, in the Connections group, click Edit Links.

    Excel Ribbon Image

    Note: The Edit Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain linked information.

  2. In the Source file list, click the source for the linked object, and then click Open Source.

  3. Make the changes that you want to the linked object.

  4. Exit the source program to return to the destination file.

Edit an embedded object in the source program

  1. Double-click the embedded object to open it.

  2. Make the changes that you want to the object.

  3. If you are editing the object in place within the open program, click anywhere outside of the object to return to the destination file.

    If you edit the embedded object in the source program in a separate window, exit the source program to return to the destination file.

Note: Double-clicking certain embedded objects, such as video and sound clips, plays the object instead of opening a program. To edit one of these embedded objects, right-click the icon or object, point to object typeObject (for example, Media Clip Object), and then click Edit.

Edit an embedded object in a program other than the source program

  1. Select the embedded object that you want to edit.

  2. Right-click the icon or object, point to object typeObject (for example, Document Object), and then click Convert.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • To convert the embedded object to the type that you specify in the list, click Convert to.

    • To open the embedded object as the type that you specify in the list without changing the embedded object type, click Activate.

Select an OLE object by using the keyboard

  1. Press CTRL+G to display the Go To dialog box.

  2. Click Special, select Objects, and then click OK.

  3. Press TAB until the object that you want is selected.

  4. Press SHIFT+F10.

  5. Point to Object or Chart Object, and then click Edit.

Issue: When I double-click a linked or embedded object, a «cannot edit» message appears

This message appears when the source file or source program can’t be opened.

Make sure that the source program is available     If the source program is not installed on your computer, convert the object to the file format of a program that you do have installed.

Ensure that memory is adequate     Make sure that you have enough memory to run the source program. Close other programs to free up memory, if necessary.

Close all dialog boxes     If the source program is running, make sure that it doesn’t have any open dialog boxes. Switch to the source program, and close any open dialog boxes.

Close the source file     If the source file is a linked object, make sure that another user doesn’t have it open.

Ensure that the source file name has not changed     If the source file that you want to edit is a linked object, make sure that it has the same name as it did when you created the link and that it has not been moved. Select the linked object, and then click the Edit Links command in the Connections group on the Data tab to see the name of the source file. If the source file has been renamed or moved, use the Change Source button in the Edit Links dialog box to locate the source file and reconnect the link.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.


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  • Inserting a File
  • |

  • Inserting an Image

Microsoft Excel allows you to include other files, such as Word documents and PDFs, into a spreadsheet. This wikiHow will show you how to insert a file as an object into an Excel project using OLE (object linking and embedding).

  1. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 1

    1

    Open your project in Excel. You can open your project within Excel by clicking Open from the File tab, or you can right-click on the file in a file browser and click Open With and Excel.

    • This method works for newer versions of Excel on either PC or Mac.
  2. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 2

    2

    Click the cell in which you want to insert the object. Whenever people view this cell, they will find the embedded document.

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  3. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 3

    3

    Click the Insert tab. You’ll find this in the ribbon above the document editor or at the top of your screen.

  4. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 4

    4

    Click the icon that looks like a program window on a sheet of paper. This is the «Object» icon and can be found in the «Text» group. A box will pop up.

  5. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 5

    5

    Click the Create from File tab. The tab will switch from «Create New.»

  6. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 6

    6

    Click Browse. Your file browser will open.

  7. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 7

    7

    Navigate to and double-click your file. Only compatible files will show up in the browser, like PowerPoints, PDFs, and Word documents.

  8. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 8

    8

    Choose to select «Display as icon.« If you select «Display as icon,» you’ll see the icon of the document appear in the cell; if you don’t choose «Display as icon,» the full first page of the document will appear. Regardless of your choice, both embedded documents will link to the full document.

  9. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 9

    9

    Click OK. You’ll see this at the bottom right of the pop-up window. The document you selected will appear in the cell either as the full first-page document or icon.[1]

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  1. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 10

    1

    Open your project in Excel. You can open your project within Excel by clicking Open from the File tab, or you can right-click on the file in a file browser and click Open With and Excel.

    • This method works for newer versions of Excel on either PC or Mac.
  2. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 11

    2

    Click the cell you want to insert the object.

  3. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 12

    3

    Click the Insert tab. You’ll find this in the ribbon above the document editor or at the top of your screen.

  4. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 13

    4

    Click the Pictures icon. You’ll find this in the «Illustrations» group. A file browser will pop up.

  5. Image titled Insert an Object in Excel Step 14

    5

    Navigate to and double-click on your image. The list of compatible file types is long, but all the common file types are accepted like GIF, JPG, and PNG.

    • The image is inserted into your document. You can edit the image using the Picture Tools tab.[2]
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About This Article

Article SummaryX

1. Open your project in Excel.

2. Click the cell you want to insert the object.

3. Click the Object icon in the Insert tab.

4. Click the Create from File tab.

5. Click Browse and navigate to and double-click the file.

6. Choose to «Display as icon» or not.

7. Click OK.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 28,976 times.

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Содержание

  1. Insert an object in your Excel spreadsheet
  2. How to embed Word objects into an Excel 365 & 2019 workbooks?
  3. Inserting Word docs into Microsoft Excel sheets
  4. Adding Word as attachments into Excel files
  5. Linking to a file from Word and Excel
  6. Embedding Word documents into Excel on macOS
  7. Copying Word content into an Excel spreadsheet
  8. Insert an object in your Excel spreadsheet
  9. Insert (Embed) an Object in Excel
  10. Insert and Embed an Object in Excel
  11. How to Insert (Embed) an Object in Excel?
  12. #1 – Insert (Embed) a New Object in Excel
  13. #2 – Embedding (inserting) an Existing Object in Excel
  14. #3 – Link to Object vs. Embedded Object
  15. Why do we need Embedded Objects in Excel?
  16. Things to Remember about Inserting Object in Excel
  17. Recommended Articles

Insert an object in your Excel spreadsheet

You can use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to include content from other programs, such as Word or Excel.

OLE is supported by many different programs, and OLE is used to make content that is created in one program available in another program. For example, you can insert an Office Word document in an Office Excel workbook. To see what types of content that you can insert, click Object in the Text group on the Insert tab. Only programs that are installed on your computer and that support OLE objects appear in the Object type box.

If you copy information between Excel or any program that supports OLE, such as Word, you can copy the information as either a linked object or an embedded object. The main differences between linked objects and embedded objects are where the data is stored and how the object is updated after you place it in the destination file. Embedded objects are stored in the workbook that they are inserted in, and they are not updated. Linked objects remain as separate files, and they can be updated.

Linked and embedded objects in a document

1. An embedded object has no connection to the source file.

2. A linked object is linked to the source file.

3. The source file updates the linked object.

When to use linked objects

If you want the information in your destination file to be updated when the data in the source file changes, use linked objects.

With a linked object, the original information remains stored in the source file. The destination file displays a representation of the linked information but stores only the location of the original data (and the size if the object is an Excel chart object). The source file must remain available on your computer or network to maintain the link to the original data.

The linked information can be updated automatically if you change the original data in the source file. For example, if you select a paragraph in a Word document and then paste the paragraph as a linked object in an Excel workbook, the information can be updated in Excel if you change the information in your Word document.

When to use embedded objects

If you don’t want to update the copied data when it changes in the source file, use an embedded object. The version of the source is embedded entirely in the workbook. If you copy information as an embedded object, the destination file requires more disk space than if you link the information.

When a user opens the file on another computer, he can view the embedded object without having access to the original data. Because an embedded object has no links to the source file, the object is not updated if you change the original data. To change an embedded object, double-click the object to open and edit it in the source program. The source program (or another program capable of editing the object) must be installed on your computer.

Changing the way that an OLE object is displayed

You can display a linked object or embedded object in a workbook exactly as it appears in the source program or as an icon. If the workbook will be viewed online, and you don’t intend to print the workbook, you can display the object as an icon. This minimizes the amount of display space that the object occupies. Viewers who want to display the information can double-click the icon.

Источник

How to embed Word objects into an Excel 365 & 2019 workbooks?

Dorothy wanted to learn how to insert objects into her Excel spreadsheets:

I believe that i have seen a Microsoft Excel worksheet that had a Word document embedded in it. Can you explain how can i insert Word files into Excel and in general how to embed file objects in Office? Just so you are aware, I am using Excel 365.

Thanks for the question. One of the key benefits of an integrated productivity suite, such as Office, is the ability to insert files of specific type into other files. For example – you can add Word document files into other Microsoft Office applications, namely Excel worksheets, Outlook emails and PowerPoint presentations.

This quick tutorial is aimed at explaining how you can embed Word objects (being a document, presentation, diagram, notebook) into Excel. You can use a similar process when adding docx files to PowerPoint or to other Word files.

Inserting Word docs into Microsoft Excel sheets

  1. First off, go ahead and open Microsoft Excel.
  2. Then hit File, and navigate to the Open tab.
  3. Now search and open for your Excel workbook. (Tip – consider pinning files for easier access in the future).
  4. In your Excel file, navigate to your the tab in Excel into which you would like to add the attachment/embed.
  5. From the Ribbon, hit Insert.
  6. In the right hand side of the Ribbon, hit Object (located in the Text group of the Insert tab).
  7. At this point, you can either add a new Word file to your worksheet or an existing one. Select Create a new file and pick Microsoft Word as the object type from the drop down list to add a brand new document or select Create from file to add an existing file to the spreadsheet.
  8. Now, go ahead and adjust the look and feel of your embedded object so it will fit your spreadsheet layout.
  9. Next, hit OK.
  10. And obviously, don’t forget to save your Excel spreadsheet on your computer, network drive or OneDrive.

Adding Word as attachments into Excel files

In a similar fashion you are able to insert your Word doc as an attachment to the worksheet.

Follow steps 1-6 above, but be sure of highlighting the Display as Icon and Link to File check-boxes before moving to step 8. Your document will displayed as an icon on your spreadsheet, which you can double click to open it.

Linking to a file from Word and Excel

As shown above, by using the Link to File feature, you can easily link to any embedded file or icon in your spreadsheet or document.

Notes:

  1. As shown above, embedded files can also be displayed as links or icons in your spreadsheet.
  2. The process we just outlined applies for adding any type of files (including if needed, image, graphs, equation objects and so forth) into an Excel spreadsheet.

Embedding Word documents into Excel on macOS

  1. Open Excel for macOS.
  2. Navigate and open your spreadsheet.
  3. Go to the Insert tab.
  4. Now, go ahead and hit SelectObject.
  5. The Insert Object form will appear:

  1. Select Microsoft Word document to insert a brand new file, or hit the From file button to add an existing doc to your worksheet.
  2. Last hit OK, and don’t forget to save your file.

Finally, now that you know everything about embedding Word documents into spreadsheets, you might want to learn how to insert Excel sheets into Word docs.

  1. If you are using Microsoft Office on MAC, you’ll be able to embed Word documents into Excel for MAC, but not into PowerPoint presentations nor Visio diagrams.

Copying Word content into an Excel spreadsheet

A reader asked whether he is able to copy and paste between Word an Excel. A very prevalent use case for that is when you have content in a Word table and you would like to paste it into your spreadsheet. This is possible, but with a couple caveats / tricks mostly related to the pasted content formatting:

  • Assuming that you have a table in your Word document, highlight it, then hit the right mouse click and hit Copy.
  • Open your Excel spreadsheet and navigate to the place you would like to paste your table.
  • Right click and use the Paste Options menu to set the formatting of your pasted data.
  • Alternatively, use Paste Special (also available in your right mouse button) to paste as text, HTML or embed the content as a “live” Word object.

Источник

Insert an object in your Excel spreadsheet

You can use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to include content from other programs, such as Word or Excel.

OLE is supported by many different programs, and OLE is used to make content that is created in one program available in another program. For example, you can insert an Office Word document in an Office Excel workbook. To see what types of content that you can insert, click Object in the Text group on the Insert tab. Only programs that are installed on your computer and that support OLE objects appear in the Object type box.

If you copy information between Excel or any program that supports OLE, such as Word, you can copy the information as either a linked object or an embedded object. The main differences between linked objects and embedded objects are where the data is stored and how the object is updated after you place it in the destination file. Embedded objects are stored in the workbook that they are inserted in, and they are not updated. Linked objects remain as separate files, and they can be updated.

Linked and embedded objects in a document

1. An embedded object has no connection to the source file.

2. A linked object is linked to the source file.

3. The source file updates the linked object.

When to use linked objects

If you want the information in your destination file to be updated when the data in the source file changes, use linked objects.

With a linked object, the original information remains stored in the source file. The destination file displays a representation of the linked information but stores only the location of the original data (and the size if the object is an Excel chart object). The source file must remain available on your computer or network to maintain the link to the original data.

The linked information can be updated automatically if you change the original data in the source file. For example, if you select a paragraph in a Word document and then paste the paragraph as a linked object in an Excel workbook, the information can be updated in Excel if you change the information in your Word document.

When to use embedded objects

If you don’t want to update the copied data when it changes in the source file, use an embedded object. The version of the source is embedded entirely in the workbook. If you copy information as an embedded object, the destination file requires more disk space than if you link the information.

When a user opens the file on another computer, he can view the embedded object without having access to the original data. Because an embedded object has no links to the source file, the object is not updated if you change the original data. To change an embedded object, double-click the object to open and edit it in the source program. The source program (or another program capable of editing the object) must be installed on your computer.

Changing the way that an OLE object is displayed

You can display a linked object or embedded object in a workbook exactly as it appears in the source program or as an icon. If the workbook will be viewed online, and you don’t intend to print the workbook, you can display the object as an icon. This minimizes the amount of display space that the object occupies. Viewers who want to display the information can double-click the icon.

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Insert (Embed) an Object in Excel

Insert and Embed an Object in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, the “Object Insert” option allows a user to insert an external object into a worksheet. Embedding generally means inserting an object from another software (Word, PDF, etc.) into an Excel worksheet. This option is useful for direct access to files related to your worksheet data from within your worksheet space. In addition, the inserted object works as a ready information source or reference for a dataset in an Excel worksheet.

Table of contents

How to Insert (Embed) an Object in Excel?

Here, we will discuss how to embed a new object in Excel.

#1 – Insert (Embed) a New Object in Excel

  1. We must first select “Text” from the “Insert” tab and then click “Object.”

Then, select “Create New” to embed a new blank file. Remember, only file types are shown in “Object type” that can be embedded in the Excel worksheet.

Now, choose a file type to embed. For example, we have selected a “Microsoft Word Document,” now click “OK.”

#2 – Embedding (inserting) an Existing Object in Excel

Step 1: Select “Text” from the “Insert” tab and click “Object.”

Step 2: Select “Create from File” and click “Browse” to embed an existing file into the worksheet. Remember, only file types are shown in “Object Type” that can be embedded in the Excel worksheet.

Step 3: Now click “OK.” The file icon will be displayed on the worksheet.

NOTE: If we do not check the “Display as icon” option, it will show the embedded file’s content instead of the icon. We can double-click on the embedded file icon or content to edit the content of the embedded file.

#3 – Link to Object vs. Embedded Object

When you insert an object into an Excel worksheet, the object becomes part of the Excel file. Therefore, any changes made to the source file do not impact the embedded file. However, we may want to keep the file separate from the Excel file. In that case, we need to check the “Link to file” option.

A linked file is just a link to the source file, which we can edit only by editing the source file. When we double-click the link, the source file will open.

NOTE: If we change the location/ path of the source file, the link to the file in the worksheet will not work.

Why do we need Embedded Objects in Excel?

  1. When we want to add large comments or notes to a dataset in Excel Worksheet, we can embed a Word or text file instead of writing text in worksheet cells.
  2. Excel is generally used for data tables/ charts. Suppose we want to use big text bodies to explain the data tables in a worksheet. In that case, we can create a separate embedded file within the worksheet instead of creating a particular file or writing a large amount of text in an Excel worksheet.
  3. Embedded files keep the worksheet presentation limited to required data only. We can keep any additional comments, notes, or information within the embedded file, allowing users to focus on the key information. Other data can be seen only by accessing the embedded file.

4. Embedded files are the preferred option compared to the link to file option when we need to send the worksheet to someone working on a different computer/ laptop since the link to file will only work if the source file is saved on the same device as the worksheet itself since embedded files are saved within the Excel file.

Things to Remember about Inserting Object in Excel

  1. We can only embed certain file types into an Excel worksheet. We can see the list of file types accepted by going to “Insert” >“Text” >“Object” >“Create New” > “Object type.”
  2. Select the “Display as icon” checkbox to display only the embedded file’s icon. Otherwise, it will show the file content in the worksheet, which takes more space and is not recommended for presentation purposes.

NOTE: If we intend to print the worksheet, then it is recommended to display the content of the embedded file as it will not publish the embedded file’s content if the only icon is displayed.

  1. As soon as we insert an object in Excel, its connection to the source file is lost, so make sure to make all required changes to the original file before embedding it. However, you can also update the embedded file’s content by double-clicking the file icon or embedded content.
  2. When sending an embedded file to someone else, ensure that the recipient’s computer/ laptop has the required software installed, supporting the embedded file type to view or change its content.
  3. Inserting an object in Excel increases the source Excel file size. If we do not want to make the Excel file heavy, we can use the “Link to file” option. However, the “Link to file” option only works if we use the same device where the linked source file is stored, and the source file’s location/ path is not changed.

Recommended Articles

This article is a guide to Embed and Insert Object in Excel. We discuss inserting an object in an Excel worksheet, practical examples, and a downloadable excel template. You may learn more about Excel from the following articles:-

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