Sign in with Microsoft
Sign in or create an account.
Hello,
Select a different account.
You have multiple accounts
Choose the account you want to sign in with.

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.

Need more help?

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

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Was this information helpful?

What affected your experience?
By pressing submit, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Your IT admin will be able to collect this data. Privacy Statement.

Thank you for your feedback!

×