Copying and pasting by hand
- Every revision means finding each number again
- One missed figure and the report is wrong
- Reformatting after every paste
Stable Links from Word to Excel
Best Link Manager links Excel named ranges into your Word documents. When your Excel data changes, one click in Word brings every link up to date.
For the desktop Word and Excel apps in Microsoft 365, on Windows
Better than retyping, more reliable than Word's links
There are two usual ways to get Excel numbers into Word. Both break down.
Word's Paste Link (OLE links)
- Each link stores a full file path, so moving or renaming a folder breaks the links
- Links to OneDrive files often won't update, especially on another computer
- Automatic links ask to update from other files when the document opens
Best Link Manager
- Links are stored relative to the document, so you can move the document and workbook to another folder together
- Works with files stored in OneDrive
- Documents open normally; links update only when you click
- Case, date and picture effects stay through every update
How it works
1. Name the range in Excel
Select the cell or table, type a name such as TotalRevenue in the Name Box, and press Enter.
2. Insert it in Word
Select the named range in Excel, then click Insert on the Links tab. A single cell comes in as text; a range comes in as a picture of the table.
3. Update when the numbers change
Click Update All to refresh every link, including those in headers and footers, or select some links and click Update Selected.
Also on the Links tab
Text and dates
Change a text link to lower case, UPPER CASE, Title Case or Sentence case (or back to the original), or show a date in long or short form. The effect is reapplied on every update.
Picture effects
Show a table link in original color, gray scale, black & white, or as a watermark. The effect is reapplied on every update.
Change Workbook
Point the links to one workbook at another.
Highlight and jump
Highlight every link to see what's linked, and double-click a link to open its range in Excel.
Reset and Break
Reset links to placeholders to reuse a document as a template, or break a link to keep its content as plain text or a picture.
Convert OLE Links
Turn a document's Paste Link links into Best Link Manager links.
Built for reports written in Word and calculated in Excel
- Appraisers: values, adjustment grids and comparable sales tables in the appraisal report
- Business valuators: valuation conclusions and schedules from the valuation model
- Accountants: figures and tables in recurring client and financial reports
- Engineers and consultants: results and data tables from calculation workbooks
If your report's numbers live in Excel, and you update the report every time they change, Best Link Manager keeps the two in sync.
$49
one-time payment, no subscription
- Use on 2 computers, and move the license to a new one yourself
- All features included
- Email support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Secure payment by Stripe. Your license key arrives by email.
Questions
What do I need?
Windows, with the desktop Word and Excel apps from Microsoft 365. Best Link Manager reads your workbooks through Excel, so Excel must be installed on the same computer. Installing needs administrator permission.
Do I have to use named ranges?
Yes. Each link points to an Excel named range, so you can insert rows or move tables and the link still finds the right cells. The guide shows how to create one.
How is this different from Word's Paste Link?
Paste Link stores each workbook's full path, so moving or renaming folders, or opening the document on another computer with OneDrive, can break links. Best Link Manager stores paths relative to your document, works with OneDrive, and only updates when you click. Already using Paste Link? Convert OLE Links upgrades your documents. See the full comparison.
Can I use it on two computers, or move it?
Yes. Each license works on 2 computers. To move it, click License on the Links tab, choose Deactivate This Computer, and activate the new computer with the same key.
Do you offer refunds?
Yes. If you're not satisfied within 30 days of purchase, email us and we'll refund you. No questions asked.