Paste an Excel chart into PowerPoint with a link and it updates when the numbers in Excel change. Copy the chart in Excel, then in PowerPoint choose Paste › Use Destination Theme & Link Data.
Step by step
- Save the Excel workbook. Linking needs a saved file.
- Click the chart and press Ctrl + C.
- In PowerPoint, go to the slide and click Home › Paste (the arrow under it).
- Choose Use Destination Theme & Link Data to match the slide design, or Keep Source Formatting & Link Data to keep Excel’s look.
Update the chart
When the numbers change in Excel, click the chart in PowerPoint and choose Chart Design › Refresh Data. To update every linked object at once, go to File › Info › Edit Links to Files and click Update Now.
Paste options compared
| Option | Updates? | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Link Data | Yes, from the Excel file | Monthly reports that reuse the same deck |
| Embed Workbook | No, but data is inside the PPT | Sending one file that others can edit |
| Picture | No | Final versions that must not change |
When the Excel file moves
Links store the file’s path. If you move or rename the workbook, go to File › Info › Edit Links to Files, select the link, click Change Source and pick the file again. Keep the Excel file and the presentation in the same folder to avoid broken links.
FAQ
Can I link a range of cells instead of a chart?
Yes. Copy the range, then use Home › Paste › Paste Special › Paste link › Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object.
Will people I email the PPT to see updates?
No. They see the last values. Send the Excel file too, or paste as a picture.