File Sharing Problems

How to Update PowerPoint from an Excel File Stored in SharePoint

Muhammad Talha Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to successfully update linked Excel content in a PowerPoint presentation when both files are hosted in a SharePoint document library.

How to Update PowerPoint from an Excel File Stored in SharePoint

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user is collaborating on files hosted in a SharePoint environment and needs the PowerPoint slides to accurately reflect updated data from an associated Excel workbook.
Observed behavior: To maintain working links between the files in a cloud environment, the user must synchronize the library locally and update the linked content through the desktop application.

Before you start

Ensure you have the OneDrive sync client installed on your computer and verify that you have proper edit permissions for both the Excel and PowerPoint files in the SharePoint library.

Solution 1Recommended

Use OneDrive Sync to Link and Update SharePoint Files

Synchronizing the SharePoint document library to your local machine ensures that PowerPoint can accurately locate and update the linked Excel data.

When files are stored in the cloud, linking them directly via web URLs can cause the links to break or fail to update. By using the OneDrive sync client, you create a local file path that both Office applications can reliably read and update.

Save files in the same location

Ensure that both your Excel workbook and PowerPoint presentation are saved in the exact same SharePoint document library.

Sync the SharePoint library

Open the SharePoint document library in your web browser. Click the 'Sync' button in the toolbar to synchronize the library to your local computer using the OneDrive sync client.

Open files from the local synced folder

Open your local File Explorer, navigate to the newly created SharePoint sync folder (usually under your organization's name), and open both the Excel and PowerPoint files using the desktop applications.

Create or repair the data links

Copy the desired data from the Excel workbook. Switch to PowerPoint, click the arrow below 'Paste' on the Home tab, select 'Paste Special', and choose 'Paste link'. If links already exist, go to File > Info > Edit Links to Files to update the source path to your new local synced folder.

Update content after changes

Whenever you update and save the Excel workbook, open the PowerPoint presentation. When prompted, click 'Update Links' to refresh the data, or update them manually via the Edit Links to Files menu.

Use OneDrive Sync to Link and Update SharePoint Files

Desktop App Requirement: The 'Paste Link' functionality and link updating are only supported in the desktop versions of PowerPoint and Excel, not in the web browser versions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Linking and Cloud Sync

If managing SharePoint sync paths and broken links feels cumbersome, consider WPS Office as a streamlined alternative. It offers powerful spreadsheets and presentations with built-in WPS Cloud storage, making it incredibly easy to link data and keep everything synchronized.

1. Download and Install: Install WPS Office for free and sign in to activate your integrated WPS Cloud storage.
2. Upload and Open Files: Upload your spreadsheet and presentation directly to WPS Cloud, then open them within the WPS Office application.
3. Link Your Data: Copy your data from WPS Spreadsheet, navigate to WPS Presentation, and use 'Paste Special' to seamlessly link the content.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats, ensuring your links and layouts remain intact.Built-in WPS Cloud provides straightforward file synchronization without requiring separate desktop sync clients.Lightweight application that uses fewer system resources while offering all essential Office features.Free to download and use with an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't my PowerPoint links updating automatically from SharePoint?

Links can fail to update if the files were moved, renamed, or if you are trying to open them directly in Office on the Web. For reliable updates, both files must be synchronized locally using OneDrive, and opened in the desktop applications.

Can I link Excel data to PowerPoint using Excel for the Web?

No, the 'Paste Link' feature is not supported in the web versions of Excel or PowerPoint. You must use the desktop applications to create, edit, or update linked content between files.

How do I fix broken Excel links in my PowerPoint presentation?

Open your PowerPoint presentation in the desktop app, go to the 'File' tab, click 'Info', and select 'Edit Links to Files' (usually at the bottom right). Select the broken link from the list, click 'Change Source', and browse to the correctly synchronized Excel file on your computer.

Does everyone who opens the PowerPoint need the synced SharePoint folder?

To manually update the links themselves, users need access to the source Excel file and ideally the same synchronized library setup. However, if you update the links and save the PowerPoint file, other users will be able to view the latest saved values even if they don't have direct access to the Excel source.

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