OLE
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) is a feature that allows several software applications to work together. Using OLE allows the use of an object in another application without losing the functionality of the original application. There are two types of OLE objects: linked objects and embedded objects. The linked object is stored within the original application and any changes made to the document in the original application will appear in Grapher. Embedded objects are stored in Grapher. The object can be edited within Grapher using the original application’s menu commands, toolbars, etc.
Creating OLE Objects
An OLE object can be created in Grapher by clicking the Home | Clipboard | Paste | Paste Special or Features | Insert | OLE Object commands. The Home | Clipboard | Paste | Paste Special command copies the object from the clipboard and inserts it into Grapher. Both embedded and linked objects can be inserted into Grapher as an icon.
Insert New Object
Click the Insert | OLE Object command to create a new object or to import a new object into the Grapher window. In the Grapher window, a box appears in which to create the object, and the menu commands, toolbars, etc. change to the selected object type. For example, to create a Microsoft Word document in Grapher click Features | Insert | OLE Object, select Create New, and then choose Microsoft Office Word Document from the object type list. Click the OK button. The Grapher menu commands change to Word menu commands and the toolbars change to Word toolbars. This allows complete Word functionality within the Grapher window. A newly created object is always embedded.
A new object can also be created from a file. For example, to create a new Microsoft Word document in Grapher, choose Features | Insert | OLE Object, select Create from File, click the Browse button, and then locate the file to insert. These files can be linked or embedded. Check the Link box if you wish to link the object. If the application for the selected file type does not support OLE, then the file is inserted as an icon. This icon can be used to open the original application.
Editing OLE Objects
Double-click on the OLE object to edit it. Embedded objects are edited in the Grapher window. All commands in the window change to the original application commands. Linked objects are edited in the original application window. Double-clicking on a linked object opens the original application.
An embedded object appears with diagonal lines across it when it is being edited in the original application window. Choose File |Save Copy As in the original application to save changes. Check the original application’s File menu for Close and Return to *.GRF to return the embedded object.