i need to make a ppt template that automatically updates in many different places and then can be detached from the data source and then edited in a way that is at least similar to just editing ppt. coworkers' concerns disallow me from having one linked excel file that one has to remember to bring with the ppt when traveling or something.
ideally i would have one embedded excel worksheet that is referenced many times on many slides, and then when it came time to disconnect all the data from its source i could just copy and paste the whole spreadsheet as values. i can't seem to do that, though. if i copy and paste the embedded object it makes another copy and if i try to link to the embedded object i get an error ("The server application, source file, or item can't be found, or returned an unknown error. You may need to reinstall the server application." I definitely don't actually need to do so).
alternatively, i'd love to know a way to convert linked files to text boxes (even if it involved a macro). i can convert them using 'ungroup' but then it divides into a bunch of small text boxes, which is not what i'm looking for.
lastly, i would be fine with an excel file with all the data in it that becomes a companion file of sorts, such that if you bring the ppt file somewhere it necessarily brings the excel file with it (ie, its idiot-proof for my coworkers).
if anyone has any idea how i could pull this stuff off, be it through one of these means or another, the nonprofit i work for and i would be much obliged.
thanks all
ideally i would have one embedded excel worksheet that is referenced many times on many slides, and then when it came time to disconnect all the data from its source i could just copy and paste the whole spreadsheet as values. i can't seem to do that, though. if i copy and paste the embedded object it makes another copy and if i try to link to the embedded object i get an error ("The server application, source file, or item can't be found, or returned an unknown error. You may need to reinstall the server application." I definitely don't actually need to do so).
alternatively, i'd love to know a way to convert linked files to text boxes (even if it involved a macro). i can convert them using 'ungroup' but then it divides into a bunch of small text boxes, which is not what i'm looking for.
lastly, i would be fine with an excel file with all the data in it that becomes a companion file of sorts, such that if you bring the ppt file somewhere it necessarily brings the excel file with it (ie, its idiot-proof for my coworkers).
if anyone has any idea how i could pull this stuff off, be it through one of these means or another, the nonprofit i work for and i would be much obliged.
thanks all