Use a linked object or an embedded object to add all or part of a file created in an Office program, or in any program that supports linked and embedded objects, to another file. You can create a new embedded object, or you can create a linked object or embedded object from an existing file. If the file you want to use was created in a program that does not support linked and embedded objects, you can still copy and paste information from the file to share the information between programs.

The main differences between linked objects and embedded objects are where the data is stored and how it is updated after you place it in the destination file.

With a linked object, information is updated only if you modify the source file. Linked data is stored in the source file. The destination file stores only the location of the source file and displays a representation of the linked data. Use linked objects if file size is a consideration.

With an embedded object, information in the destination file does not change if you modify the source file. Embedded objects become part of the destination file and, after being inserted are no longer a part of the source file.

Double left-click the embedded object to open it in the source program.

To find out more about linking and embedding:

Left-click Help on the menu bar

Left-click Contents and Index

Type in embedded or linked in the ‘Type the first few letters of the word you are looking for:’ text box

Under Click the Index entry you want, left-click display

Find the entry you want to know more about, highlight the entry, then left-click the Display button.