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A step-by-step guide to inserting objects in Excel
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Microsoft Excel allows you to include other files, such as Word documents and PDFs, into a spreadsheet. This wikiHow will show you how to insert a file as an object into an Excel project using OLE (object linking and embedding).

Adding an Object in an Excel Spreadsheet

  1. Select the cell where you want the object.
  2. Click the Insert tab.
  3. Select Object in the Text group.
  4. Click Create from File and then Browse.
  5. Find the file you want to add and click OK.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Inserting a File

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  1. You can open your project within Excel by clicking Open from the File tab, or you can right-click on the file in a file browser and click Open With and Excel.
    • This method works for newer versions of Excel on either PC or Mac.
  2. Whenever people view this cell, they will find the embedded document.
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  3. You'll find this in the ribbon above the document editor or at the top of your screen.
  4. This is the "Object" icon and can be found in the "Text" group. A box will pop up.
  5. The tab will switch from "Create New."
  6. Your file browser will open.
  7. 7
    Navigate to and double-click your file. Only compatible files will show up in the browser, like PowerPoints, PDFs, and Word documents.[1]
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  1. " If you select "Display as icon," you'll see the icon of the document appear in the cell; if you don't choose "Display as icon," the full first page of the document will appear. Regardless of your choice, both embedded documents will link to the full document.
  2. You'll see this at the bottom right of the pop-up window. The document you selected will appear in the cell either as the full first-page document or icon.[2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Inserting an Image

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  1. You can open your project within Excel by clicking Open from the File tab, or you can right-click on the file in a file browser and click Open With and Excel.[3]
    • This method works for newer versions of Excel on either PC or Mac.
  2. You'll find this in the ribbon above the document editor or at the top of your screen.
  3. You'll find this in the "Illustrations" group. A file browser will pop up.
  4. The list of compatible file types is long, but all the common file types are accepted like GIF, JPG, and PNG.
    • The image is inserted into your document. You can edit the image using the Picture Tools tab.[4]
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About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 66,227 times.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: December 12, 2024
Views: 66,227
Categories: Microsoft Excel
Article SummaryX

1. Open your project in Excel.
2. Click the cell you want to insert the object.
3. Click the Object icon in the Insert tab.
4. Click the Create from File tab.
5. Click Browse and navigate to and double-click the file.
6. Choose to "Display as icon" or not.
7. Click OK.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 66,227 times.

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