Power Point® All?in?One Desk Reference For Dummies®

Chapter 4. Linking and Embedding for Compound Presentations

In This Chapter

• Understanding what object linking and embedding (OLE) is

• Creating and editing embedded objects

• Creating and updating linked objects

A compound file is a computer file that brings together data created in different programs. A year‐end report is a classic example of a compound file. Typically, a year‐end report includes word‐processed text, worksheet tables, and graphics. Thanks to object linking and embedding (OLE), PowerPoint presentations can also be compound files. They can include data from different sources — Excel worksheets, Word text, Paint graphic files. What's more, you can copy and continuously update material from other programs without leaving PowerPoint.

All this magic is accomplished with something called object linking and embedding (OLE). This chapter explains OLE, tells you how to embed data from another file in PowerPoint, and explains how to link data from another file so that your slides are updated automatically.

By the way, OLE is pronounced “olay,” the very same word that the bullfight audience shouts when the bull passes under the matador's cape. ¿Loco, verdad?

What Is OLE, Anyway?

Object linking and embedding (OLE) is a means of bringing programs besides PowerPoint into the mix without leaving PowerPoint. You can think of OLE as a high‐powered version of the standby Copy and Paste commands. As you probably know, the Copy and Paste commands are for copying material from one place or program ...