How to Link Excel to Word for Automatic Updates

Dataset Overview

Assume you have the following Excel dataset containing store-wise sales.

Step 1 – Enable “Update Automatic Links at Open” for Word Document

• Open the Word document containing the sales report.
• Navigate to File >> Options or press ALT + F + T to open Word Options.
• In the Advanced section, find the option for Update automatic links at open.
• Check the checkbox and click OK.

Step 2 – Copy Excel Cell or Dataset

• Open the Excel document with the sales record.
• Select the specific cell or range you want to link to your sales report.
• Right-click and choose Copy (or use CTRL + C).

Step 3 – Paste Link and Use Destination Style in Word Document

• Return to the Word document.
• Place the cursor where you want to insert the data.
• Right-click and go to Paste Options >> Link & Use Destination Styles (L).
• Alternatively, choose Link & Keep Source Formatting (F) if needed.

• Your sales report will now display the linked data. Save and close the Word document.

Read More: How to Insert an Excel Spreadsheet into Word

Step 4 – Update Data in Excel Cell

• Go back to the Excel dataset and update the sales figures as required.

Step 5 – Reopen Word for Automatic Update

• Reopen the Word document containing the sales report.
• You’ll receive a warning asking if you want to update data from the linked Excel document. Select Yes to confirm.

• The Word document will automatically update based on the changes made in Excel.

Read More: How to Transfer Data from Excel to Word Automatically

Linking Excel Chart to Word for Automatic Update

Suppose you’ve created a Column Chart in Excel using the same dataset.

Follow these steps to link the chart to your sales report:

• Copy the chart in Excel.
• Open the Word document with the sales report.
• Place the cursor where you want to insert the Excel Chart.
• Go to Home >> Paste >> Paste Special.

• Choose the Paste Link option in the dialog box.
• Select Microsoft Excel Chart Object and click OK.

• The sales report will look as follows. Save the Word document.

• Modify the dataset in Excel as needed.

• The chart in the Word document will automatically update based on changes in the Excel data.

Read More: How to Copy a Chart from Excel to Word

Things to Remember

• Keep the Update Automatic Links at Open option enabled in your Word document.
• Confirm the automatic update when reopening the file. This ensures your reports stay accurate and up to date.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

Related Articles

• How to Export Data from Excel to Word
• How to Extract Data from Excel to Word
• How to Copy Only Text from Excel to Word
• How to Copy from Excel to Word Without Losing Formatting
• How to Copy and Paste from Excel to Word Without Cells

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