The OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) feature of Windows allows you to import objects that were created using other software installed on your computer, such as spreadsheets and word processors.
Inserting OLE Objects
- From the Edit menu, select Insert New Object.
- Select the type of object you want to create.
Only programs that are installed on your computer and that support OLE appear in the list.
- Select Create New to create a new OLE object using the selected application.
Check Display as Icon to show the OLE object simply as an icon. Click Change Icon to change the icon's appearance.
- The selected program will launch with a new document.
- Create or import data in the new document.
- Save the document when you are done.
Here is an example of an Excel Spreadsheet OLE. As the Spreadsheet changes, the OLE object in Flexi will automatically update, changing size as necessary. If I need to edit the data of the OLE object in Flexi, I would reopen Microsoft Excel, open the spreadsheet, and edit the data there.
Inserting Existing Files as OLE Objects
- Select Create from File
- Click Browse and locate the file to be inserted
- Check Display As Icon to show the OLE object simply as an icon. Click Change Icon to change the icon.
- Check Link to link the selected file. The object in the file will be stored apart from the document, and all the changes made in the source file will be reflected in your document. If the Link option is unchecked, the object will be embedded and stored within the document.
- Click OK.
Editing OLE Objects
- Select the desired OLE object. (Double-clicking an OLE object has the same effect as selecting Edit.)
- From the Edit menu, point to [...] Object and click Edit or Open. The submenu name will depend on the OLE object type.
- When you select Edit, the program associated with the OLE object will start in a window inside your document and will close after the editing.
- If you choose Open, a full instance of the program will start. You may leave this application running even after editing the OLE object.
Closing the original object will close the application, unless another file is still open in the application.
Converting OLE Objects to another Format
- Select the desired OLE object.
- From the Edit menu, point to [...] Object and select Convert. The submenu name will depend on the OLE object type.
- Select the new format from the list.
- Click OK.
Converting OLE Objects to Basic Segments and Bitmaps
1.Select the desired OLE object.
2.From the Arrange menu, select Convert Linked to Native. This will convert the file to a bitmap file inside of Flexi. It will no long reference the external file.
Changing Linking Properties of OLE Objects
- From the Edit menu, select Links.
- Select the desired object link.
- Change the following linking options:
Automatic / Manual | Determines whether the linked information updates automatically when you open the document or manually when you choose to update it. |
Update Now | Updates the OLE object in your document to reflect the present content of the original file when Manual mode is selected. |
Open Source | Opens the linked object file using the associated program. |
Change Source | Changes the linked object file, replacing the current file with another. |
Break link | Gives you the option to permanently break the connection between a linked object and its source file. |