Linking Tables in PowerPoint

If you have PowerPoint slides that report regularly updated information that comes from Excel spreadsheets, you can save a lot of time by linking the data. The following method shows you the step by step procedure for importing linked data from an Excel spreadsheet into a PowerPoint slide.

1. Create the data tables in Excel exactly the way you want it to look on the slide.


2. Select the entire data table region (click+drag) that you wish to link into a slide, and then copy it (Ctrl+C).
   


3. Open or create a new PowerPoint slide that you wish to add the linked table.


4. Select Edit --> Paste Special... from the PowerPoint menu.


5. In list of the window that appears, select Microsoft Office Excel Workbook Object, and be sure to select the Paste link radio button at the left. Click OK.


6. Now adjust the table size (click+drag corner or edge circles) or layout (click+drag center of table) as desired on the slide.
   

Now when the Excel data table is updated, so will the PowerPoint slide. Just note that if the link is broken (e.g.: the Excel file is moved, renamed, deleted, etc.), the data table will no longer automatically update.