Module 3.1
Task 3 - Static and Dynamic Linkage


A.M.D.G.

It is extremely easy to copy information from one document to another, within the same package or between different packages.

If you change the original information and the copy also changes this is called dynamic data linkage as there is a link between the copy and original.

If you change the original information and the copy does not change this is called static data linkage and no matter what you do to the original the copy will not change.
  • Open MS Excel
  • Enter the following information
North South East West
120 145 98 103
  • Highlight this information and make a pie chart or bar chart
  • Copy this chart and paste it into MS Word
  • Change the East value to 200
  • Does the chart change in Excel?
  • Does the chart change in Word?
  • Repeat the process but now, instead of choosing Paste choose Paste Special...
  • In the dialog box that appears, choose Paste Link
  • Now change the South value to 50
  • What happens to the chart in Word?

Answer the following questions in your jotter.

  1. Describe fully two situations where dynamic data linkage would be used. (Hint - think about booking a holiday, share prices, stock levels in a shop, ordering concert tickets etc)
  2. Describe one situation where it would be important to use static data linkage.