How to Link data from Excel to PowerPoint

[wec43wec]

I am having difficulty linking data from Excel to over 15 charts in PowerPoint.

It seems that only the last copy / paste function is properly linking into the embedded excell sheet in powerepoint that is used to chart the powerpoint graph.

My commands that I am using are as follows:


1. From PowerPoint(PP) >> I double click the graph to display the embedded excel sheet in powerepoint.

2. From Excel >> I highlight the data range (example - a1 thru g4). Right click and select copy.

3. From PP >> I highlight the existing data range(actual data range in PP will never change because I am using a rolling 16 week comparison).

4. From PP >> I go to Edit > Paste Link >


I perform the above steps on all slides (15) that contain embedded excel spreadsheets that are used to populate the graph through "paste link", however when I go to excel to test the slide I change all of the data for (as an example) the first week for each graph. Only the last graph is updated. It appears that the "paste link" only works - one time within a file, but this does not seem right.

What are the proper steps to link data from Excel to PowerPopint in order to update graphs and charts within powerpoint?

My objective is to download data from a database into an excel file that will be used as the source data for charts in powerpoint.


Thanks

 

[Hasit]

Not entirely sure why you are using step 3 in your description above.

If you miss out step 3, pasting the link afte following 1, 2 and 4 will give you what you need. I have just done this on 20 slides with different data with no problems.

The one thing you have not mentioned is where you are storing your files. Both the PPT and the Excel linked file must reside in the same folder. If they do not, then once both files are closed, the link is broken and PPT will no longer be able to update cells if they are changed in Excel.

 

[wec43wec]

Hasit - in response to your suggestion, I do have both files in the same dir.

In reference to step 3 above, at first after I copied the data from excel, I placed the cursor in cell "A1" of PPT. The top most left position of the data and clicked OK to paste link the data into PPT. When highlighting the range within PPT to the paste data, it gives the same results as either highlighting the data or placing the cursor in the top most left position of the data range.

In your response above you suggest that I do not use step 3. With that being the case, after I complete step 2 which states

From Excel >> I highlight the data range (example - a1 thru g4). Right click and select copy.

You say I should go directly from step 2 to step 4. If I do that how do I tell PPT where to paste the data if I don't select the distination cell in PPT? At that point, only the embedded excel spreadsheet is displayed in PPT.

I will try your suggestion today and provide you with a response this evening.

Thanks

 

[wec43wec]

Hasit - in addition to my comments above, the problem is not that the data does not initial paste into PPT, the problem with "my process that I used" is the the data does not "update" after I make changes within excel. Only the last or first group of slides are updated.

Note - under Edit > Link in PPT, the option of "automatic is set and not manual".

I hope this helps in explaining my issue.

 

[Hasit]

OK, I am slightly confused by your post. Do you create a table in PPT and then paste link a cell from Excel?

The process I use is to structure the cells in Excel exactly the way I want to see them in PPT. Then highlight a cell (or cells) in Excel and then do a straight paste link into PPT. The process of pasting a link will build the link to the excel file and cell reference(s).

Any updates to the Excel spreadsheet that is linked to the PPT will automagically update the PPT as well.

Does that make sense?

I may offer to take a look at the slidedeck and spreadsheet but putting your email address is frowned upon.

 

[combo]

Wouldn't be the simplest to create charts in excel file, copy them one by one and paste as links to the presentation?

combo

 

[Hasit]

Thats what I am suggesting wec43wec does.

wec43wec: if after the suggestions you are still having trouble, you can send me the files to take a look at. Address is hasitbakhda[at]yahoo[dot]com.