The only way I could figure out to use a named XL range with a linked
object in PP was somewhat complicated.  It requires (a) a sheet level
name in XL, (b) using PP VBE to identify the linked object in PP and
change its FullSourceName attribute.

It is possible -- though I don't know for sure -- that PPTools (a free
add-in from www.rdpslides.com) will give you direct access to the
FullSourceName property of the inserted object without resorting to the
PP Visual Basic Editor.

The hard way...

Create a named range in XL.  This has to be a sheet level name, say,
Sheet1!aRng     =OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$2,0,0,COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A),1)

Save the file.  Call it linktest.xls.

Now, select the range and paste link into PP.  Assume this is on the
first slide and that this is the third shape on the slide (the first two
being two placeholders).

Next, go to PP VBE.

In the immediate window (View | Immediate Window), enter
?activepresentation.Slides(1).Shapes(3).linkformat.SourceFullName
You should see something like E:\TEMP\PPT\LINKTEST.XLS!Sheet1!R2C1:R11C1
[This verifies that we have identified the correct shape]

In the immediate window, enter
activepresentation.Slides(1).Shapes(3).linkformat.SourceFullName="E:
\TEMP\PPT\LINKTEST.XLS!Sheet1!arng"
[The above 2 lines should be on a single line.  The text wraps in the NG
post]

Verify that the name is changed by reentering
?activepresentation.Slides(1).Shapes(3).linkformat.SourceFullName
This time you should see E:\TEMP\PPT\LINKTEST.XLS!Sheet1!arng

While the above was tested with XL2002 and PP2002, I remember doing this
with Office 2000.

--
Regards,

Tushar Mehta
www.tushar-mehta.com
--

Sub EditLinkString()

Dim strTemp As String
Dim strInput As String

With ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange
    If .Type = msoLinkedOLEObject Then
        strTemp = .LinkFormat.SourceFullName
        strInput = InputBox("It's all yours, Chief.  Edit away.", "Edit
source", strTemp)
        If strInput <> "" Then   ' don't let them blank it out
            If strInput <> strTemp Then  ' don't change it if nothing
changed
                .LinkFormat.SourceFullName = strInput
                .LinkFormat.Update
            End If
        End If
    Else
        MsgBox "YO!  This isn't a linked object."
    End If

End With

End Sub

--
Steve Rindsberg, PowerPoint MVP
Got a PowerPoint wish/suggestion/beef?

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