Linking Excel and Word

[momof3inco]

I have a spreadsheet that has sales information (product, cost, customer,
etc). Each sale has its on worksheet. I would like to use this database to
create invoices and other forms in word. The issue that I am having is that
word can't find the most recent worksheet page without having to manually
link the worksheet to the document. Is there a way to do this automatically
(like finding/relpacing the worksheet address?

 

[Beth Melton]

Ideally, you should have one database as opposed to multiple databases.
Since your data is distributed on multiple worksheets then you are using
multiple databases which is why you're having difficulty. In essence, when
you need to point to a different worksheet you're switching to a different
database.

If you are looking for flexibility then your data needs to be flexible.
You might consider maintaining one worksheet with all of your data and
include a field that will identify who the data belongs to so you can
categorize your data. Then you can either use Excel's AutoFilter to filter
to the category you want to view. Depending on how much data you're working
with then you might want to move it to an Access database which has even
more capabilities, such as the ability to creating your invoices and forms
in Access instead of using multiple applications.

If you prefer to manually edit the links each time then in Word use
Edit/Links and modify the link for the Excel workbook.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Co-author of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/