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Pull data from Excel to Word
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Need to reference an Excel chart, table, or data set in your Word document? You can easily add a quick link to any Excel file in a Word document, or even embed the file within the document to avoid the possibility of broken links. This wikiHow article will teach you how to link an Excel file to a Word document using your Windows or Mac computer.

Quick Steps

  1. Click Insert .
  2. Click Object > Object .
  3. Click Create from File .
  4. Click Browse and select your file.
  5. Check Link to file .
  6. Click OK .
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

How to Link an Excel File

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  1. You can either open it from Word by going to File > Open or you can double-click the file.
  2. It's in the editing ribbon above your document. [1]
    • On Mac, this tab is along the top of your screen instead.
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  3. It's in the Text grouping and will open an Object Dialog Box. [2]
  4. It's at the top of the window. [3]
  5. Your file manager ( File Explorer for Windows and Finder for Mac) will open so you can look for your Excel file. [4]
  6. Alternatively, you can single-click the file to select it, then click Open , OK , or Insert to choose it.
  7. This will create a link to your file that others can click to view the Excel data. Clicking the link will open the Excel data at its original location. [5]
    • If you'd rather embed the Excel file within your Word document, check the box next to "Display as an icon" and click OK .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

How to Insert an Excel Chart

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  1. 1
    Open a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. If you want to embed an Excel chart into Microsoft Word, you can copy and paste it into your Word document.
  2. 2
    Select the chart you want to insert. Click and drag one corner of the chart to the other corner to highlight it.
  3. 3
    Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac) to copy. Alternatively, right-click or control-click the chart and select Copy .
  4. 4
    Open your Microsoft Word document. You can either open it from Word by going to File > Open or you can double-click the file.
  5. 5
    Click where you want the chart. This will place the cursor at that location.
  6. 6
    Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac) to paste. Alternatively, right-click or control-click where you want the chart and select Paste .
    • For more paste options, click the Home tab and click the arrow underneath the Paste icon. You can select: Keep Source Formatting, Use Destination Styles, Link & Keep Source Formatting, Link & Use Destination Styles, Picture, or Keep Text Only.
  7. 7
    Update the chart data. If you change the data in Excel, you'll just need to refresh the chart in Word to see the new changes. Do the following:
    • Select the chart.
    • Click the Chart Design or Chart Tools Design tab.
    • Click Data .
    • Click Refresh Data .
  8. 8
    Edit the chart (optional). If you want to edit the data or change its layout elements, styles, and filters, do the following:
    • Select the chart.
    • Click the Chart Design or Chart Tools Design tab.
    • Click Data .
    • Click Edit Data .
    • Select a modification option.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I dynamically embed an XLSX table in a DOCX file?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You can copy your chart in Excel then paste it in Word. To update it in Word, select your chart, then go to "Chart Design" or "Chart Tools Design" and click Data > Refresh.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Word document.
      2. Click the Insert tab.
      3. Click Object and Object .
      4. Click the Create from File tab.
      5. Click Browse .
      6. Double-click to select your Excel file.
      7. Click to check the box next to "Link to file" and click OK .

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 139,304 times.

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