Question

Linking vs. Embedding in Microsoft Excel

What is the difference between linking an object versus embedding an object? Give an example of when it would be better to link than embedding. Answer in complete detail and complete sentences.

Answer 1

Both Linking and Embedding helps to insert a file or document in Excel, but have their own ways of difference.

Linking:

The file which we use to link is to be stored together with the file in which we are linking. If we are using the file in the computer, the source file need to be presented in the computer. If we are mailing the linked excel sheet, we need to mail that along with the source document zipped into a separate folder. Once, the source document is linked, any changes made in the source document would automatically be updated in the destination excel sheet.

Embedding:

In this, once the source file is embedded, the further changes made in the source file, won't be updated automatically. Inorder to update the destination file with the changes made in the source file, we need to give a double click to the embedded object in the excel sheet.

Linking is better than embedding in the following situation, when the data which we are linking is not ready and it is the requirement to prepare a presentation with the linked data, we can link the data and as and when the complete data is obtained, it would automatically be updated in the presentation file we are in need of.

Hope this is helful!!