jminor, yes you can.
For PowerPoint XP and 2003,
You can make use of trigger animation to do so.
Firstly, open up custom animation panel. (Slide Show > Custom Animation).
Click on the excel file, click Add effect > Object Actions > Edit.
Right click on the edit effect, select Timing.
Click Triggers > Start effect on click of:.
Select the excel file. Which should be object 'x'.
Ok your way out.
If you are using PowerPoint 2000 and below,
you can't use triggers because it is not supported in 2000 and below.
What you can do is to add a hidden slide.
Then, have the excel file linked to the hidden slide.
On the hidden slide, copy and paste the excel file.
Open up custom animation panel,
Under order and timing tab, have the excel file to start animation
automatically.
Next, click on multimedia setting tab.
Under Object action, select Edit.
Ok your way out.
See if that is what you want.
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Site Updated: January 28, 2006
Chinese New Year Update: New Animation Template added.
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PowerPoint Heaven - The Power to Animate
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