4 March, 2002

Embedding And Linking

Sometimes computer terms can be tossed to and fro, and the laymen will remain confused by this strange lingo. Such may be the case with the terms embedded and linked. Often these terms are used in relation to, but are not limited to, documents.

You can use linked and embedded objects to share information between programs, such as Microsoft Office. The main differences between linked objects and embedded objects are where the data are stored and how they are updated after you place them in the destination file.

With a linked object, information is updated only if you modify the source file. Linked data are stored in the source file. The destination file stores only the location of the source file and displays a representation of the linked data. Use linked objects if file size is a consideration.

With an embedded object, information in the destination file does not change if you modify the source file. Embedded objects become part of the destination file and, after being inserted are no longer a part of the source file.