How to manage linked files, change sources, and use versioning

Written by Hadrien | Updated

When working with UpSlide Excel Link, you can rename and move your Excel and PowerPoint/Word files without breaking their connections. This is particularly useful when creating periodic reports. You can duplicate your March files to create April versions, and your Excel links will remain. This article shows you how to set up template files, create new versions for different periods, and manage your file versions effectively.

Create your template files

To create your initial template files:

  1. Create your files or open them if you have already created them.
  2. Export your tables and charts from Excel, to PowerPoint or Word. You can follow this article if you need help exporting.
  3. Save your files and close them.

Duplicate or update files to create new versions

  1. Duplicate your file by either copy-pasting them in your documents or by using Save As... in the corresponding Office application.
  2. Close your template files and open the new versions.
  3. In your PowerPoint or Word document, update all your links using the Excel Link Manager or the Update All.
  4. Save your files.

Your links will be updated, and your new PowerPoint and Word will be linked to your new Excel. 

Tip
As an administrator, you can save pre-linked template files directly in the UpSlide Library to streamline your workflow and centralize content for your team. Learn how to add files to the Library.

Revert to an older version

UpSlide allows you to update links with older versions of your Excel file, but you'll receive an Outdated data warning to ensure you're aware that a more recent version exists.

If you intentionally want to use an older version:

  1. Open the Excel Link Manager in PowerPoint or Update All in Word.
  2. Check the Ignore outdated data warnings option at the bottom of the pane.
  3. Proceed with the update.

Update with the last used workbook

By default, UpSlide checks all open workbooks to find the latest source when updating links. This ensures accuracy, especially when working with multiple file versions. However, the more Excel files you have open during the update, the slower the update becomes.

When you enable Update with the last used workbook, UpSlide will only reference the most recently used Excel file for each link, ignoring other open workbooks. You can check which file is used for the update when this option is active by looking at the Sources in the Excel Link Manager or by right-clicking to view the Link information.

When to use it

  • You frequently work with several Excel files open at the same time.
  • You want to speed up link updates and avoid potential conflicts.

When not to use it

  • You version your Excel files and expect links to update using different file versions.
  • You want UpSlide to always check for newer versions of your files.