Linking spreadsheets to Word

[mgm1955]

I've created a "form" using Word and Excel for use my business use that
includes linking spreadsheets and other data, via "paste special" "paste
link" with both Worksheet Objects and Formatted Text (RTF). Most of these
docs contain around 50 such links.

Prior to Word 2007 (97 and 03) when I created new docs I'd use an existing
file as a "template", rename the .doc file and .xls file, and use the Edit
Links command to quickly link the new .xls file to the new .doc file. I'd
would then drag both of these files into a new folder created for these new
files. It was a VERY fast and efficient way to create new files that took
less than 5 minutes.

With Word 2007, I follow the same procedures only using the "Prepare" "Edit
Links" features. No problem so far. However, when I close the files and
move them into another folder, I loose all of the links and must now go
individually to each linked spreadsheet, delete it, go to the appropriate
worksheet in Excel, copy the cells I need, go to Word and "Copy" "Paste
Special" "Paste Link" each one which takes way too much time.

Why are these links lost when moving them to a new folder. This was not the
case with Word 2003 or Word 97?

What am I doing wrong?

Will I have to go back to Word 2003?

Thanks,

 

[macropod]

Hi mgm1955,

Word link paths to other objects are always absolute, so moving the files to another folder breaks them - Word still looks in the
old path (even if you omit it from the link field). To see how to implement relative paths in Word, check out the solution I've
posted at:
http://www.wopr.com/index.php?showtopic=670027
For Excel links, you'll need the vba solution.

 

[mgm1955]

macropod,

Thanks for the reply.

So was this changed in Word 2007? It certainly works in 2003 version.
--
mike

Hi mgm1955,

Word link paths to other objects are always absolute, so moving the files to another folder breaks them - Word still looks in the
old path (even if you omit it from the link field). To see how to implement relative paths in Word, check out the solution I've
posted at:
http://www.wopr.com/index.php?showtopic=670027
For Excel links, you'll need the vba solution.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

I've created a "form" using Word and Excel for use my business use that
includes linking spreadsheets and other data, via "paste special" "paste
link" with both Worksheet Objects and Formatted Text (RTF). Most of these
docs contain around 50 such links.

Prior to Word 2007 (97 and 03) when I created new docs I'd use an existing
file as a "template", rename the .doc file and .xls file, and use the Edit
Links command to quickly link the new .xls file to the new .doc file. I'd
would then drag both of these files into a new folder created for these new
files. It was a VERY fast and efficient way to create new files that took
less than 5 minutes.

With Word 2007, I follow the same procedures only using the "Prepare" "Edit
Links" features. No problem so far. However, when I close the files and
move them into another folder, I loose all of the links and must now go
individually to each linked spreadsheet, delete it, go to the appropriate
worksheet in Excel, copy the cells I need, go to Word and "Copy" "Paste
Special" "Paste Link" each one which takes way too much time.

Why are these links lost when moving them to a new folder. This was not the
case with Word 2003 or Word 97?

What am I doing wrong?

Will I have to go back to Word 2003?

Thanks,

 

[macropod]

Hi mike,

No, it hasn't been changed - it's been that way since at least Word 2000, and probably since Office 4.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

macropod,

Thanks for the reply.

So was this changed in Word 2007? It certainly works in 2003 version.
--
mike

Hi mgm1955,

Word link paths to other objects are always absolute, so moving the files to another folder breaks them - Word still looks in the
old path (even if you omit it from the link field). To see how to implement relative paths in Word, check out the solution I've
posted at:
http://www.wopr.com/index.php?showtopic=670027
For Excel links, you'll need the vba solution.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

I've created a "form" using Word and Excel for use my business use that
includes linking spreadsheets and other data, via "paste special" "paste
link" with both Worksheet Objects and Formatted Text (RTF). Most of these
docs contain around 50 such links.

Prior to Word 2007 (97 and 03) when I created new docs I'd use an existing
file as a "template", rename the .doc file and .xls file, and use the Edit
Links command to quickly link the new .xls file to the new .doc file. I'd
would then drag both of these files into a new folder created for these new
files. It was a VERY fast and efficient way to create new files that took
less than 5 minutes.

With Word 2007, I follow the same procedures only using the "Prepare" "Edit
Links" features. No problem so far. However, when I close the files and
move them into another folder, I loose all of the links and must now go
individually to each linked spreadsheet, delete it, go to the appropriate
worksheet in Excel, copy the cells I need, go to Word and "Copy" "Paste
Special" "Paste Link" each one which takes way too much time.

Why are these links lost when moving them to a new folder. This was not the
case with Word 2003 or Word 97?

What am I doing wrong?

Will I have to go back to Word 2003?

Thanks,

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Hi macropod,

The behaviour in Word 2003 certainly depends on whether or not the
"Update automatic links on Open" is set (in which case, here the path in
the link is automatically updated by Word when you open the .doc), but I
do not know whether there are other dependencies that would explain why
you don't see the behaviour (perhaps you normally keep the setting
switched off or some such), which is why it is diificult to tell whether
"the same thing" does not work in Word 2007.

Peter Jamieson

http://tips.pjmsn.me.uk