Microsoft Project 2013: The Missing Manual

Linking and Embedding Project Data

Project data comes in handy in lots of other programs. For example, a Project schedule shows project status whether it appears in a PowerPoint slide, a Word-based status report, or an Excel spreadsheet. Similarly, you might embed a Resource Graph into a memo requesting resources. This section describes how to link and embed Project data into other programs. See Working with Linked and Embedded Objects on page 578 to learn how to display, select, resize, and edit linked and embedded objects.

Linking Project Files to Other Programs

Sometimes, pictures of Project views aren’t enough. For example, you might want to include a Gantt Chart in your status report to show the up-to-date project schedule. When you link a Project file to another program, the linked object initially displays the portion of the view that you copied in Project. Once the linked object is in place, you can edit it to change the view, filter the tasks, and so on (as described on Editing Linked Objects).

Note

Office programs can be fussy about linking objects, but the box on When Programs Won’t Link provides some solutions.

Here’s how you link a Project file to another program:

1. Open the Project file and the destination file (a Word document, for example).

   You can link to a Project view in any program that supports OLE, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

2. In Project, set up the view the way you want it.

   Select the view and the table you want. If necessary, insert or hide columns in the ...