You may already be aware that if information related to your spreadsheet is in other files (such as Word documents), you can add these reference files as embedded objects in your Excel workbook. By consolidating the relevant materials together, your workbook becomes a comprehensive, centralized report that is easier to manage and share.
Once you embed a Word document as an object in your Excel workbook, it becomes an integral part of the file. This means you can email, share, or move the workbook, and the embedded object will remain intact. You no longer need to send multiple attachments or worry about broken links when sharing your data with others.
But have you recently tried to embed a Word document in an Excel spreadsheet and run into security warnings or found that it doesn’t work as expected? You’re not alone!
With recent updates to Microsoft Office and Windows 11, more and more older file types (known as “legacy files”) are blocked by default to help keep your computer safe. But don’t worry, there’s an easy, secure way to embed your Word documents. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps for inserting your document as a “package,” and explain why this method is now the best choice for Office users.
Why Insert Your Document as a Package?
Microsoft has tightened security by blocking legacy file formats to protect users from potential threats hidden in outdated or unsafe files. By inserting your document as a package, you make sure it stays compatible with the latest security updates in Windows 11 and Microsoft 365. This approach not only keeps all related files easily accessible, but also protects your computer and data from possible risks. Plus, it’s a breeze to use with just a few clicks!
Step-by-Step Guide: Embedding a Word Document as a Secure Package
-
Go to the Insert tab at the top of your Excel ribbon, then look for the Text group. Click Object.
-
In the Object dialog box that pops up, select the Create New tab. Scroll down and select Package from the Object type list.
Display the File as an Icon and Customize the Icon
-
Check the box labeled Display as icon, then click Change icon….
This option displays your document as an icon instead of embedding the entire file, which keeps your worksheet tidy.
-
Click Browse… to find and select the icon file you want to use for Word.
-
To find the Word icon, go to Program Files > Microsoft Office > root > Office16 on your C drive. Select WORDICON (using this makes it easy to spot your embedded document at a quick glance). If you want, copy the icon file to a folder where you can access it easily next time.
Set the Package Label
-
After selecting your icon, you can also set a custom label for your embedded object (Word file). Choose a name that will easily identify the document.
-
Back on the Create New tab, click OK to insert the Word document as an object.
-
In the Create Package dialog box, click Browse… and locate the document.
-
Click Next.
-
Although you can edit the label, it will be overwritten with the package label you had set previously for your embedded object. So, here you can leave the Label field "as is" and click Finish.
-
The document you added will display as an icon in the spreadsheet, as shown below.
Open and Edit the Object
-
The inserted object is now accessible directly from your Excel workbook. You can simply double-click the icon to open the document and make edits as required.
You don’t have to save your changes separately, because as soon as you finish editing the embedded object and close its window, the changes are incorporated into your workbook. The next time you save your Excel workbook, all these edits are saved as well.
Try out this feature to see if the package method helps you embed files smoothly. 😊
About the Author
Follow on Linkedin More Content by Surya Nair
