Word 2007 - Connect/Merge multiple docs to 1

[JulieSan]

I'd like to have 18 main documents (all different authors) that I can merge
into one parent document. Whenever one of the main docs is updated I want the
content updated automatically in the parent document (when opened). I've
tried the "Insert > Object > text file" function but it doesn't "connect" the
two docs so that changes made to main doc1 update in the parent. Any
suggestions? It's like I want the old "paste-link" function from Excel..

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

In Word 2003 and earlier, you would use Insert | File, selecting "Insert as
Link." This would create an IncludeText field (see
http://daiya.mvps.org/includetext.htm). Presumably there is something
similar in Word 2007, but Insert | Object is not it.

 

[Beth Melton]

It's almost the same - the Object dialog box can be found on the Insert tab,
in the Text group in Word 2007.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Co-author of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Dawn Crosier, Word MVP]

Insert Object is correct. However you need to click the tab to the back -
Create from File. And place a checkmark in Link to file.

To update your links. Select the Office button, Prepare, Edit Links to
Files. Or you can just click on each of your fields and press F9 to update
them.

--
Dawn Crosier
Microsoft MVP
"Education Lasts a Lifetime"

This message was posted to a newsgroup, Please post replies and questions
to the group so that others can learn as well.
I'd like to have 18 main documents (all different authors) that I can merge
into one parent document. Whenever one of the main docs is updated I want
the
content updated automatically in the parent document (when opened). I've
tried the "Insert > Object > text file" function but it doesn't "connect"
the
two docs so that changes made to main doc1 update in the parent. Any
suggestions? It's like I want the old "paste-link" function from Excel..

 

[JulieSan]

You're a definite MVP! Thanks Dawn, this worked perfectly!

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

But Insert | Object usually inserts an OLE object; does Insert | Object in
Word 2007 replace Insert | File? In earlier versions, Insert | Object |
Create from File inserts an object created in another application.

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

Somewhat simpler is to click the dropdown arrow to the right of Object (in
the Insert tab), and choose Text from File. This is the closest equivalent
to Insert - File in earlier versions.

If she's going to be doing this a lot, she can save time by right-clicking
"Text from File" and adding it to the Quick Access Toolbar. For 18 files,
this'll be a bit faster than having to go the Create from File route 18
times.

 

[Beth Melton]

Whoops, I think I read too fast. I saw Insert | Object and missed the "is
not it" part.

The Insert File is still there too, now called Text From File, it's found by
clicking the arrow to the right of the Object button.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Co-author of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I think the issue here is that using Text from File seems to function the
same as Insert | File, not Insert | Link to File (that is, the text is
embedded, not linked to the original file).

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

The Text from File command in Word 2007 gives you a choice to insert the
file or to insert as link via the Insert dropdown button; Insert as Link
gives you the IncludeText field.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Ah, okay, very good then.

The Text from File command in Word 2007 gives you a choice to insert the
file or to insert as link via the Insert dropdown button; Insert as Link
gives you the IncludeText field.

--
Herb Tyson MS MVP
Author of the Word 2007 Bible
Blog: http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
Web: http://www.herbtyson.com

 

[Dawn Crosier, Word MVP]

Herb -

You are correct as long as she notices the down arrow next to the Insert
button and choose Insert as Link.

--
Dawn Crosier
Microsoft MVP
"Education Lasts a Lifetime"

This message was posted to a newsgroup, Please post replies and questions
to the group so that others can learn as well.
Somewhat simpler is to click the dropdown arrow to the right of Object (in
the Insert tab), and choose Text from File. This is the closest equivalent
to Insert - File in earlier versions.

If she's going to be doing this a lot, she can save time by right-clicking
"Text from File" and adding it to the Quick Access Toolbar. For 18 files,
this'll be a bit faster than having to go the Create from File route 18
times.

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

If she has to do this 18 times, this is another reason that adding Text from
File to the QAT is a time saver.

 

[juliersanders]

You're a definite MVP! Thanks Dawn, this worked perfectly!

:






- Show quoted text -

Has anyone tried to do this while the files are stored on a MOSS 2007
site? I can browse to the file and select the Word doc I want to
insert/link to, but I get an error saying "File not found". My intent
is that all these chapters and the roll up doc are stored in the same
library.. hmmm.

 

[juliersanders]

If she has to do this 18 times, this is another reason that adding Text from
File to the QAT is a time saver.

--
Herb Tyson MS MVP
Author of the Word2007Bible
Blog:http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
Web:http://www.herbtyson.com









- Show quoted text -

I seem to be having a problem now that I'm trying to implement this 2
months later. If I use the "Insert > Object > Create from File" option
it will only insert 1 page of content - ugh!
If I try to use the "Insert>Text from file> Insert as Link" I get an
error of "This file cannot be found". Help!

 

[Dawn Crosier, Word MVP]

Julie -

From the Insert Tab, select the Object Command in the Text Group.
Click the down arrow and select Insert Text from File.

Browse to where the file is. Select it and then click the down arrow next to
the insert button and choose Insert as Link.

OR

From the Insert Tab, select the Object Command in the Text Group.
Click the down arrow and select Object.

A dialog box opens where you can select the Tab Create from File.
Browse to where the file is located. Be sure to place a checkmark in the
Link to file checkbox.


--
Dawn Crosier
Microsoft MVP
"Education Lasts a Lifetime"

This message was posted to a newsgroup, Please post replies and questions
to the group so that others can learn as well.

 

[JulieSan]

*When I use the "Insert>Object>Create from File" option it only inserts one
page of the text... this happens whether I link it or not. So this is not a
good option for me.
*When I use "Insert>text from file>Insert as link" I get a 'file not found"
error. I can browse to the file and select it but it won't work. I believe
this is happening because all the files are stored on a MOSS 2007 site - ugh.
Any suggestions?

 

[Dawn Crosier, Word MVP]

Unfortunately, I do not have any experience with working with MOSS.

Double check the field code (ALT+F9) it should say { IncludeText
"[Drive]:\\[Path]\\[Filename]"}

Maybe that will lend a thought? BTW: All the slashes are doubled.

--
Dawn Crosier
Microsoft MVP
"Education Lasts a Lifetime"

This message was posted to a newsgroup, Please post replies and questions
to the group so that others can learn as well.
*When I use the "Insert>Object>Create from File" option it only inserts one
page of the text... this happens whether I link it or not. So this is not a
good option for me.
*When I use "Insert>text from file>Insert as link" I get a 'file not found"
error. I can browse to the file and select it but it won't work. I believe
this is happening because all the files are stored on a MOSS 2007 site -
ugh.
Any suggestions?