Microsoft KB Archive/78400

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WD: Using INCLUDE and LINK Fields with Word for Windows

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Q78400

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
 * Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

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SUMMARY
In Microsoft Word for Windows, if you want to insert data that is unlikely to change into a document from another application, you can use the INCLUDE field (or INCLUDETEXT field in Word 6.x-7a). However, if the data is likely to need updating frequently, using dynamic data exchange (DDE) ensures that your document includes the most current information. The type of data you import determines which field is best to use. If the data is continually updated, such as stock information or charts from Microsoft Excel, use the LINK field with the \a switch (this switch updates the field automatically). If the data changes less frequently, use the LINK field without the \a switch and manually update the field.

MORE INFORMATION
The syntax for these three fields is similar. Compare the following:

  {LINK class-name file-name [place-reference] [format] [automatic]} {LINK class-name file-name [place-reference] [format]} {INCLUDE file-name [place-reference] [switches] [convert]} {INCLUDETEXT file-name [place-reference] [switches] [convert]}

class-name       This is a description of the data being linked, for example, ExcelWorksheet. These names can be found in the [Embedding] section of the Win.ini file.

file-name        This indicates the name of file being referenced, for example, C:\\EXCEL\\Sheet1.XLS.

place-reference  This is an optional reference to a specific area in                     the file, such as R1C1. You can use either of the following two methods to insert a field:

Method 1

 * 1) Position the insertion point at the location where you want the linked item to appear.
 * 2) Press CTRL+F9 to insert the field characters ({}).
 * 3) Within the field characters, type the field command and the arguments you want to use, as in the following examples:
 * 4) To display the field results, select the field, and press F9 (the update field key).

Method 2

 * 1) Position the insertion point at the location where you want the linked item to appear.
 * 2) In the Insert menu, click Field.
 * 3) Select LINK or INCLUDE (INCLUDETEXT in Word 6.x-7a) from the Insert Field Type box.
 * 4) In the Field Code box, position the insertion point to the right of the inserted field and type the following:
 * 5) Click OK.
 * 6) To display the field results, select the field, and press F9.