How to Link Excel Cells to PowerPoint
By Darryl Brooks
Most everyone knows how to copy something like data in an Excel cell into another program, such as PowerPoint. Sometimes, however, you don't simply want to copy the data but also want to provide a link to the data. In this way, you create a dynamic connection so that when the source data changes in the spreadsheet, the results will also change in the PowerPoint presentation. To do this you use an often-overlooked feature of Office called "Paste Special."
Step 1
Highlight the cell or range of cells you want to link in Excel, then click "Copy" in the upper-left corner of the menu bar.
Step 2
Switch focus to the PowerPoint presentation and place the cursor in the location of the presentation where you want the link to appear.
Step 3
Click the "Edit" menu and then click "Paste Special." In the pop-up menu that appears, select "Paste link." You have now created a live link back to the Excel spreadsheet from the PowerPoint presentation.
References
Tips
- "Paste Special" has many useful functions that expand the typical copy and paste operations in Microsoft Office.
Warnings
- Keep in mind you are not only creating a link to a particular cell or range of cells, but to the location of the spreadsheet. If you move the spreadsheet, you will need to recreate your links.
Writer Bio
Darryl Brooks is a writer living in Atlanta, Georgia. His experiences include 16 years installing tile, 30 years working in information technology, eight years as a writer, six years as a photographer, 15 years as a competitive runner and 15 years in a travel agency.