Is it possible to link an Excel File to a Word table?

[KIM SOLIS]

Hi all,

In the MS Word (file name MyWord, page1) I made a Table with five rows, say with three columns as Data1, Data2 and Data3. Now, in my Excel file (file name MyExcel.xls, sheet1) I also have three columns as File1, File2 and File3. My excel file is currently populated with records up to five rows.

My question is: Is it possible for my data in Excel to be dynamically and automatically exported to the MyWord.doc file, where my File1 data goes to the Word table Data1, and so on?...and eventually fill in all the five rows in Word.

My verdict thus far is, it is not legit. But will be extremely glad to be proven wrong .

Kim

[OTPM]

Hi Kim
You can embed an excel table in MS Word and open it from Word as if you were in Excel.
Select Insert -> Object -> From File -> Browse and select Workbook. It will ask you which sheet you wish to insert.
Once inserted just double click on the excel table and it will open in MS Word as if you were in Excel.
Good luck.
Tony(OTPM)

[KIM SOLIS]

Hi Tony,

I understand I had two ways to do it:
1) Create first a Table in word and format table with three columns and five rows, and then manually encode what my Excel data shows, or
2) Create table in Word by directly embedding the existing file from Excel.

I tried option 2 per your advice and I am getting mixed result. One file I embedded (with data entries up to 18 rows displayed only up to ten rows), though I repeated several times. Meaning that all my Excel data did not show up in the embedded table. I tried another file and lo, the embedded file displayed all rows and columns. Is there a control to what extent of table (rows and column) can be embedded?

Nevertheless, I noticed that when the Excel is embedded in Word, THEN I APPENDED OR EDITED MY DATA IN EXCEL, my data in word does not change but is static. Is there a way to make it dynamic? That as I change data in Excel so it must be auto-reflected in Word. But that looks not possible using the embedding option.

It will be nice if the "linking" - from Excel to Word - will be dynamic and data changes are reflected in "real-time".

Will hear your feedback then.

Waiting,

Kim

[OTPM]

Hi Kim
The problem is how big do you want the table to be in Word!!!!
What you could do is create an Auto Macro which runs as soon as you open MS Word which will copy the current table as it stands.
Would this give you what you want?
Tony(OTPM)

[OTPM]

Hi Kim

I have just fouynd a similar post on another Forum from Paul Edstein an MS Word MVP who provides a possible solution. Try his link:@

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335522

Come back to the forum if you are still struggling.

Tony(OTPM)

[KIM SOLIS]

Thanks Tony,

Wow! The dynamic link sounds possible and legit after all . The table in Word is just about five to eight columns maximum, though the rows may vary depending on the data population.

To give you an idea, here's why I need this dynamic link to work. There is already a standard company-wide pre-formatted report in Word, complete with Tables, spaces for Images and the usual narrative report. The requirement is just to populate the tables based on the Excel data which changes every quarter. There is about 40 tables at hand to be updated regularly.

Thus, if a DYNAMIC link from Excel to Word is truly possible then your idea that as I open the Word so will the data auto-refresh itself is brilliant next to none.

To answer your last note, indeed, it will give me more than I can bargain for.

Best regards,

Kim

[OTPM]

Hi Kim
If your standard word document is not confidential can you let me have a copy and I will see how it can be set up to pick up Excel tables Automatically (you can send it to otpm@blueyonder.co.uk if that is acceptable or failing that just give me a sample Word Document of the format to work from.
Tony(OTPM).

[macropod]

Hi Kim,

Originally Posted by KIM SOLIS

The table in Word is just about five to eight columns maximum, though the rows may vary depending on the data population.

In that case, provided you set up the LINK field as described in the link Tony posted, all you will need to do for changes to the # or rows is to change the range in Excel to which the named range referred to in the LINK field applies.

You also mention the need for this to be used in:

a standard company-wide pre-formatted report

Do note that the paths in Word's LINK fields are absolute. If you move the Excel file, you'll need to change the link path in Word (eg via Edit|Links). Likewise if you provide the 'automated' report to others for their use - they'll need to change the links to point to their own Excel workbooks (and the named ranges within).

[Catalin.B]

of course it is possible, it is as simple as your previous post...
just select your table, and in word document, choose from paste special-excel object
or paste with link, as in samples attached (i guess you are familiar with the sample table.. )