File Format & Compatibility

How to Insert, Resize, and Edit an Excel Table in Microsoft Word

Ayan Masood Oct 10, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to insert an Excel table into a Word document in a way that allows it to be resized and edited as a fully functional spreadsheet rather than a static table.

How to Insert, Resize, and Edit an Excel Table in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Embedding an Excel spreadsheet into a Word document to preserve formulas and data analysis features while adjusting its physical size on the page.
Observed behavior: The user needs to maintain the embedded object's spreadsheet functionality, allowing for in-document resizing and double-click editing of the original Excel data.

Before you start

Ensure that both Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are installed on your computer, as embedding an editable spreadsheet object requires the source application to be present.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert the Excel Table as an OLE Object (Paste Special)

This is the best method to embed an Excel table into Word while preserving all its spreadsheet capabilities, such as formulas and cell formatting.

By using the Paste Special feature, you embed the Excel data as an OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) object. This means the table looks like an image in Word but behaves like a full Excel workbook when you interact with it.

Copy the Excel data

Open your Microsoft Excel workbook, select the range of cells or the entire table you want to bring into Word, and press Ctrl+C (or right-click and select Copy).

Use Paste Special in Word

Open your Microsoft Word document and place your cursor where the table should appear. Go to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon, click the drop-down arrow under the 'Paste' button, and select 'Paste Special'.

Select Worksheet Object

In the Paste Special dialog box, choose 'Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object' from the list of options, make sure 'Paste' (not Paste Link) is selected, and click 'OK'.

Resize the table

Click once on the inserted Excel object. You will see sizing handles appear around the edges. Click and drag the corner handles to resize the table proportionally to fit your document's layout.

Edit the spreadsheet data

Whenever you need to update the data or adjust formulas, double-click the object in Word. This temporarily opens an Excel interface right inside Word, allowing you to edit the cells. Click anywhere outside the table to return to normal Word editing.

Insert the Excel Table as an OLE Object (Paste Special)

Pro Tip: If you want the table in Word to update automatically whenever the original Excel file is changed, select 'Paste Link' instead of 'Paste' in the Paste Special dialog box.

Solution 2

Insert a Native Word Table

Use this method if you only need a simple, text-based table without complex formulas, and want standard Word text wrapping and formatting.

Seamless Office Integration

Insert and Edit Spreadsheets Seamlessly with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a powerful, all-in-one suite where you can easily embed, resize, and edit WPS Spreadsheet objects directly inside WPS Writer documents without switching between different heavy applications.

1. Copy data from WPS Spreadsheet: Open your data file in WPS Spreadsheet, highlight the desired cells, and copy them.
2. Open Paste Special in WPS Writer: Navigate to your document in WPS Writer. Under the Home tab, click the arrow below the Paste icon and select 'Paste Special'.
3. Embed the Spreadsheet Object: Select 'WPS Spreadsheet Object' and click OK. The fully functional spreadsheet is now embedded in your document.
4. Resize and Edit: Drag the corner handles to resize the table to fit your page. Double-click the table anytime to modify the cell values or formulas.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formats.All-in-one tabbed interface for seamless switching between documents and spreadsheets.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.Supports advanced Paste Special options for embedding and linking functional tables.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my embedded Excel table cut off at the page margins in Word?

If your Excel table is too wide, it will exceed Word's page margins. To fix this, click on the embedded object and drag the corner sizing handles inward to scale the table down. Alternatively, double-click the object to edit it and hide unnecessary columns before clicking outside to save the view.

Can I link an Excel table in Word so it updates automatically?

Yes. When you use the 'Paste Special' menu in Word, choose the 'Paste Link' option instead of 'Paste', and then select 'Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object'. Any changes made to the original Excel file will now automatically reflect in your Word document.

Why does double-clicking my Excel table in Word only show picture formatting options?

This happens if the table was pasted as a standard Picture rather than an OLE Object. Delete the current image, return to your Excel file to copy the data again, and ensure you use 'Paste Special' > 'Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object' when pasting it back into Word.

Can I convert an embedded Excel object back into a regular Word table?

You cannot directly convert the object back to a native Word table with a single click. You will need to double-click the object to open the Excel editing mode, copy the cells, click outside the object in your Word document, and paste the data normally (Ctrl+V) to create a standard Word table.

Document & File Issues