When you link an object, you give yourself the ability to automatically update the destination when changes are made to the source. For example, you might have an Excel file with budget calculations. If you link that worksheet into a PowerPoint presentation, then you can update the presentation with the latest budget figures.

• A linked object is typically not stored in the targed document -- it is stored in its original location. The target contains an address of source the object, and a picture of the object at its last update.
• As there is only one copy of the source, any updates to the source will appear in the target document as well.
• If the destination document is opened and cannot locate or access the source, the linked object will not update.
• Many target documents will also store a "picture" of the linked object so that, if the object is not available, the most-recently updated version will still appear.
• Linking is typically more efficient from a file size perspective than embedding.
• Linking is a more secure alternative to embedding for documents that will be sent externally, because the recipient will only see the picture of the linked object, not the entire linked document as is the case in embedding.

A powerful way to integrate applications is to link an object into another document.

1. Copy the portion of the source that you wish to link.
   When linking an Excel range, name the range -- then if the range grows or shrinks with inserted or deleted rows, so will the linked region.
2. Select the location in the destination where the source should appear.
3. Choose Edit → Paste Special.
4. Select Paste Link option.
5. Select to paste as a xyz Object, where xyz refers to the type of object you are linking. For example, if you had selected a portion of an Excel worksheet in step 1, you would choose Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object.
   You will often have a choice of how to place the source content into the destination document. In such cases, experiment with the options available to you, but you will generally get the best results by selecting an option that says Object (e.g. Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object).
6. Click OK.

The result is an object that is linked to the original, so that if the original changes, the target will show the changes.

Certain commands on the Insert menu will allow you to create a link as well. These commands include Insert → Object, Insert ? File, and Insert ? Picture ? From File. Keep your eye open for buttons, check boxes and other options that indicate link.

• Control the size and position of a linked object using standard Windows drag-and-drop commands.
• Right-click on a linked object to obtain applicable commands.

To edit a linked object, double-click the object in the target document and the original file will be opened in the source application. Make your changes, then close the source application, being sure to save your changes.

Alternatively, edit the source directly and save your changes. When the destination document updates the object, your changes will be reflected.

When you have linked objects in a document or presentation, the Edit → Links command becomes available. The command will only be available after your document contains links. You can use it to manage links.

• Choose Edit ? Links.

In this command, your options will typically include:

• Change Source: If the source (original) is renamed or moved, you must redirect the destination (link) to the new name or location.
• Break Link: Breaking a link will paste the linked object in its current state into the destination document -- just like a normal "Copy & Paste" -- and updates will no longer continue.
• Update behavior: Often you will be able to select whether a link is updated automatically or manually, and (if manual update is selected) initiate an update.
• Locking a link: the option to lock a link will prevent a link from updating until it is unlocked.

A linked object (Paste Link) has 'pros' and 'cons:'

• The actual data is stored in only one place.
• Changes to the source file will be updated in the target file, assuming that you have access to the source file.
• Objects can be edited using the source application.
• Linked objects are very efficient from a file-size perspective, as all that is saved in the presentation is a picture and metadata pointing to the source file.
• There is no significant security concern, as the target contains only a picture of the object, not the source file itself. The source file, and the ability to update the linked object, will only be available to those users who would normally be able to open it. The user requires permission to the source, and must be able to access the source, for the destination document to be able to successfully update the object. If the object cannot be updated, depending on the application, the user will typically see a picture representing the object the last time it was updated.

• You cannot make changes to only the copy on the slide without also changing the source file.
• Destination must be able to locate the source in order to update the link or edit the linked object.
• Source cannot be moved, renamed, or deleted without having to modify the link.
• Requires more RAM for processing, as the source and destination applications will be opened, automatically, by the destination document. This is not a practical concern for most computers today.
• Linked objects produce several messages, which can be a nuisance. You may be asked to update linked files, or to locate files that PowerPoint believes are missing. PowerPoint may believe a file is missing if you do not currently have access to it.