How to Link Powerpoint to Excel for Dynamic Data Updates

We will learn 3 quick ways to link an Excel Table or chart to PowerPoint to update data dynamically. For this purpose, we will use the following dataset.

Link Powerpoint to Excel for Dynamic Data Updates


Method 1 – Use Automatic Update Option in Powerpoint

Steps:

  • Hold the left mouse key and drag it to highlight your Table in Excel.
  • Right-click the mouse key and select Copy.

Link Powerpoint to Excel usicng Automatic Update Option

  • Open your MS PowerPoint. On the left top corner, click the down arrow under the Paste icon.
  • Select a special type of paste option. To do that, select Paste Special. A pop-up box will open.

  • Click the Paste Link in the pop-up and choose Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object option.
  • Click OK.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Paste Link

  • We have to automate the whole operation. For that, Click File on the top left corner of your PowerPoint.

  • Then select the Info option.

How to Link Powerpoint to Excel using info option

  • Click on the Edit Links to Files. A pop-up will open.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Edit Links to Files

  • In the pop-up, choose the link to your Excel Table.
  • Then check the Automatic Update option.
  • You can also click on the Update now option to update the data manually.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Automatic Update

  • In the following Figure, we can see that the Quantity of Ice cream was 840 initially.

  • We changed the value to 1000 in Excel and the value is automatically updated in PowerPoint. So we can see that our method is working perfectly and now we are able to link PowerPoint to Excel for dynamic data updates.Link Powerpoint to Excel using Automatic Update
Notes: If the data does not update automatically, select the Update now option to instantly update data.

Method 2 – Apply Paste Special Link Feature to Link for Dynamic Data Updates

Steps:

  •  Copy the Table from Excel.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Paste Special Link

  • Open PowerPoint.
  • Click on the down arrow under the Paste option in PowerPoint‘s top left corner.
  • Choose Paste Special to open a pop-up box.

  • Click the Paste link and then select Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object.
  • Press OK to complete copying the table.

Link Powerpoint to EXcel using Paste special Link

  • The copied Table will appear in PowerPoint.
  • Save the file and close Powerpoint.

  • To link the table with Excel, Change any data in the Excel file and reopen PowerPoint.
  • A pop-up box will appear.
  • Click on Update Links. It will update any change made in the Excel file.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Paste special Link

Notes: Each time you open the PowerPoint file, the pop-up will open. Therefore, you will have to press Update Links to keep the data updated.

Method 3 – Use Regular Paste Option to Link PowerPoint to Excel

Steps:

  • Create a Chart in Excel and Copy it.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Regular Paste

  • Open PowerPoint and click on the down arrow under Paste at the top left corner.
  • Select Use Destination Theme from Paste Options.

  • It will change the Format to Default PowerPoint Format.

Link Powerpoint to to Excel using Destination Theme

  • You can also choose the Keep Source Formatting.

  • This will keep the Format of the Excel file.

Link Powerpoint to Excel using Keep Source Formatting

  • Any data alteration in Excel will automatically update the data in Powerpoint.
  • To see that it works, go to Excel and change any data.
  • We changed the value for Quantity of Ice cream from 980 to 1220 in Excel.

Link Powerpoint to Excel charts for Dynamic Data Updates

  • The Excel file is linked to PowerPoint. This change automatically updated the Chart data in PowerPoint.

Link Powerpoint to Excel Charts for Dynamic Data Updates

  • If the Chart data does not get updated, click the Chart Design tab and press Refresh Data.

Link Powerpoint to Excel Charts for Dynamic Data Updates

Notes: There is a drawback to this method. If you move the Excel file to a different folder, the link between Excel and PowerPoint will be broken.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook for practice while you are reading this article.


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Alif Bin Hussain
Alif Bin Hussain

Alif Bin Hussain earned a BSc in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. As an engineering graduate, he has a deep passion for research and innovation. He loves to play with Excel. In his role as an Excel & VBA Content Developer at ExcelDemy, he not only solves tricky problems but also shows enthusiasm and expertise in handling tough situations with finesse, emphasizing his dedication to delivering top-notch content. He is interested in C, C++,... Read Full Bio

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