OLE is technology developed by Microsoft to make different programs interact with each other to make each program more useful and visually appealing. OLE object can be embedded into different application; they however retain original format and link to originating program.
For example, an image can be embedded or linked into text document. Something a text editor could not do earlier.
Embedding vs Linking
When you embed the object, any changes in the original object are not reflected in the embedded object. When you link a object, changes in the original object are reflected in the linked object.
Understanding OlE by embedding Excel data into Word
Object Linking and Embedding is Microsoft framework for allowing objects from one program to be available in other programs.
Follow this simple exercise to understand the concept better.
- Open Excel and enter data below
Name Gender Maya Female John Male Dan Female Nancy Female Dale Male
- Now select data and click copy.
- Open a word document and click paste special.
- Select paste Link and Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object.
- You will realize all the data along with excel formatting has been copied.
- Any data you change in original excel will be available in word. This is called Linking.
- If you had selected simply Paste in paste special option, any changes in excel will not be reflected in Word. This is called Embedding.
3 Comments
Thanks for your short and to the point definition. I will reference it when submitting my assignment.
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Thanks,
for the short and meaningful explanation. Actually its really
worth of for beginners to understand the correct definition,
being short its good to keep in mind.