File Sharing Problems

How to Link an Excel Worksheet or Chart to a Word Document

Muhammad Talha Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to link Excel tables or charts to a Word document so that any updates in the spreadsheet automatically reflect in the report, while avoiding broken links caused by SharePoint or OneDrive syncing.

Paste Special link option for inserting a linked Excel chart into Word

Product: Microsoft Word and Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating dynamic reports in Word that automatically update when the source Excel data or charts change, especially when files are hosted on SharePoint or OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Links between Excel and Word can break or fail to update if files are moved, accessed via web applications, or if SharePoint file paths and permissions change.

Before you start

Ensure both your Excel spreadsheet and Word document are saved in the same stable location, such as a synchronized local SharePoint or OneDrive folder, before creating links.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Paste Link in Desktop Office Applications

The most reliable way to link Excel data to Word is by using the Paste Special feature in the desktop versions of the applications.

Web versions of Office applications may not fully support linked objects. Always open your SharePoint or OneDrive files in the desktop apps to ensure links function correctly and update as expected.

Copy the Data in Excel

Open your spreadsheet in the Excel desktop application, select the specific table or chart you want to link, and press Ctrl+C to copy it.

Use Paste Special in Word

Open your Word document in the desktop app, place your cursor where you want the data to appear, navigate to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon, click the arrow under 'Paste', and select 'Paste Special'.

Select Paste Link

In the Paste Special dialog box, select the radio button for 'Paste Link' on the left side.

Choose the Format

Select an appropriate format from the list, such as 'Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object' to retain original formatting, 'Formatted Text (RTF)', or 'Picture', then click OK to insert the linked data.

Copy items separately: Linked tables and charts must be copied and pasted separately to ensure the dynamic links function properly in Word.

Solution 2

Resolve Broken Links in SharePoint or OneDrive

If your linked charts or tables stop updating after closing files, configure your SharePoint synchronization settings to maintain stable file paths.

WPS Office Document Linking

Seamlessly Link Spreadsheets and Documents with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a highly compatible and stable environment for linking spreadsheet data directly into your text documents. It ensures seamless cross-application linking, keeping your dynamic reports accurate and up-to-date.

1. Copy Data in WPS Spreadsheet: Open your workbook in WPS Spreadsheet, highlight the table or select the chart you need to link, and press Ctrl+C to copy.
2. Paste Special in WPS Writer: Open your document in WPS Writer, navigate to the 'Home' tab, click the drop-down arrow on the 'Paste' button, and choose 'Paste Special'.
3. Create the Link: Select the 'Paste Link' option, choose 'WPS Spreadsheet Object' as the format to maintain data integrity, and click 'OK' to establish the dynamic link.

Free and lightweight office suiteFull compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and Word (.docx) formatsStable object linking for dynamic reportsFamiliar user interface for quick adoption

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Excel links in Word break when using SharePoint?

Links often break in SharePoint if the files are opened in web browsers, which have limited support for Object Linking and Embedding (OLE). Always sync the files to your local drive and open them in the desktop applications to maintain active links.

Can I link multiple Excel charts to Word at once?

No, for the links to work reliably and update correctly, you must copy and paste each linked table or chart separately using the Paste Special > Paste Link feature.

Will links remain intact if I copy the Word and Excel files for a new project template?

Links rely on absolute file paths. If you copy the files to a new location, the Word document will likely still look for the original Excel file. You will need to update the link source in Word by going to File > Info > Edit Links to Files, and pointing it to the newly copied Excel file.

What format should I choose when pasting the linked Excel data?

If you want to keep the data looking exactly like it does in Excel and retain full spreadsheet functionality, choose 'Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object'. For seamless text integration that matches your Word document's styling, choose 'Formatted Text (RTF)' or 'Unformatted Text'.

Document & File Issues