Microsoft Office · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 6: Office Skills Portfolio Studio · Lesson 2 of 4

Integrating Data Across Applications

Keep numbers consistent by linking Excel data into Word reports and PowerPoint slides.

In this lesson you will

  • Link or embed Excel tables and charts
  • Update linked content after data changes

Key concepts

paste linkembedsingle source of truthupdate links

The lesson

Reports often show the same figures in Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Copying values by hand creates mismatches when numbers change.

Paste Special > Paste Link inserts a linked table or chart that updates from the workbook. Keep the files together in the same folder so the links continue to work.

After updating the workbook, update the links and check that every figure in the report and slides matches the source.

Step by step

  1. Copy the summary table from Excel.
  2. Paste it into Word as a linked object.
  3. Paste the chart into PowerPoint as a link.
  4. Change a figure in Excel and update the links.

Practice activity

Link the monthly workbook's summary table and chart into the report and slides, change a figure and update all documents.

Expected result: Report and slides that update from the workbook.

Check your understanding

  1. What is the risk of copying numbers by hand into several documents?

    Show answer

    Figures become inconsistent when one copy is updated and the others are not.

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