Link The Excel Bar Chart To The Powerpoint Slide
Introduction
When creating a presentation, it's important to have visual aids to help get your point across. One of the most common types of visual aids used in presentations is the bar chart. Bar charts are a great way to display data in a way that is easy for people to understand. However, creating a bar chart in Excel and then transferring it to PowerPoint can be a bit of a hassle. In this article, we will show you how to link the Excel bar chart to the PowerPoint slide, so you can easily update your data and have it reflected in your presentation.
Step-by-Step Guide
Before we get started, make sure you have both Excel and PowerPoint open and the bar chart you want to link is in Excel.
Step 1: Copy the Bar Chart in Excel
Click on the bar chart in Excel to select it. Then, press Ctrl+C or right-click and select "Copy" to copy the chart to your clipboard.
Step 2: Paste the Bar Chart in PowerPoint
Switch to PowerPoint and navigate to the slide where you want to add the chart. Then, press Ctrl+V or right-click and select "Paste" to paste the chart onto the slide.
Step 3: Link the Chart to Excel
With the chart still selected in PowerPoint, click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon. Then, click on the arrow next to "Paste" and select "Paste Special" from the drop-down menu.
In the "Paste Special" dialog box, select "Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object" and check the box next to "Link". Then, click "OK" to link the chart to Excel.
Step 4: Update the Data in Excel
Now that the chart is linked to Excel, any changes you make to the data in Excel will be reflected in the chart in PowerPoint. To update the data, simply make the changes in Excel and save the workbook.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you make the most of linking Excel bar charts to PowerPoint:
Tip 1: Keep the Excel Workbook Open
If you want to make sure your chart is always up-to-date in PowerPoint, keep the Excel workbook open while you are presenting. Any changes you make to the data will be reflected in real-time.
Tip 2: Use Named Ranges
If you have a lot of data in your Excel workbook, it can be difficult to find the right cells to update. To make things easier, use named ranges in Excel. This will allow you to reference specific cells by name, rather than by their cell reference.
Tip 3: Use Chart Templates
If you frequently use the same type of chart in your presentations, consider creating a chart template in Excel. This will allow you to quickly create and update charts without having to start from scratch every time.
Conclusion
Linking an Excel bar chart to a PowerPoint slide is a great way to make sure your presentations are always up-to-date with the latest data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a dynamic and engaging presentation that will impress your audience. Don't forget to keep these tips and tricks in mind to make the most of your Excel bar charts in PowerPoint.
