Excel "Insert object" function only showing Word options, not allowing any other files

Question

Trying to insert multiple powerpoints (pptx preffered, could be pdf) as clickable icons throughout a column of a table. I have done this in the same table for Word documents and know how to do this theoretically but it is only giving me these Word file options, nothing else. If I try to insert the powerpoint file through any of those, I get the "cannot insert object" error. I've tried in a fresh Excel file with no other file types inserted and I still have the same options. I have PowerPoint downloaded. On a Macbook, Excel 16.94.

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Ahhh Apple screwing over compatibility once again!! Thank you so much for the response.

Not really... It's a security issue. OLE is a common means of transmitting malware on the Windows platform.

Jim's suggestion [I assume he meant the PowerPoint files] of putting all in the same folder with the Excel file is the more common approach.

Another option might be to store on OneDrive & provide share links to the other users.

Answer 2

Object Linking & Embedding [OLE] is a component of the Windows OS which is not supported by Apple.

It is implemented between Excel & Word due to being grandfathered in decades ago. Although Excel Charts can be linked in a PowerPoint presentation neither PowerPoint files nor other file types can be linked/embedded in Mac Office documents.

Answer 3

Ahhh Apple screwing over compatibility once again!! Thank you so much for the response.

Do you know of any other way to accomplish what I'm looking for on a Mac? I don't think just the link option will work since I need the files to pop up for another person as well, and the link feature only directs to my own computer files (from my understanding anyway)

Answer 4

Make a folder and put the Word document and the Excel document into the folder at the same directory level. Then you can make hyper links between the files. Distribute the folder as a unit.