Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) is a Microsoft technology that enables the creation of compound documents containing elements from different applications.
OLE allows inserting objects created in one application (e.g., an Excel table or an image) into a document of another application (e.g., a Word document). The inserted object maintains a link to the source application. Double-clicking the object opens it in the original application for editing.
Key features of OLE:
1. Linking: inserting a reference to an object. When the original object changes, the linked copy is also updated.
2. Embedding: physically including the object in the document. Changes to the original object do not affect the inserted copy.
3. Drag-and-drop: dragging objects between applications for quick insertion.
OLE simplifies data exchange between applications and the creation of multi-component documents while maintaining a connection to the original files. This allows for efficient work on complex documents by combining elements from different sources.
