Calc Guide

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
DDE is an acronym for Dynamic Data Exchange, a mechanism whereby
selected data in document A can be pasted into document B as a
linked, ‘live’ copy of the original. It would be used, for example, in a
report written in Writer containing time-varying data, such as sales
results sourced from a Calc spreadsheet. The DDE link ensures that, as
the source spreadsheet is updated so is the report, thus reducing the
scope for error and reducing the work involved in keeping the Writer
document up to date.
DDE is a predecessor of OLE. With DDE, objects are linked through file
reference, but not embedded. You can create DDE links either within
Calc cells in a Calc sheet, or in Calc cells in another OOo doc such as
in Writer.
DDE link in Calc
Creating a DDE link in Calc is similar to creating a cell reference. The
process is a little different, but the result is the same.
1) In Calc, select the cells that you want to make the DDE link to.
2) Copy them: Edit > Copy or Ctrl+C.
3) Go to the place in the spreadsheet where you want the link to be.
4) Select Edit > Paste Special.
5) When the Paste Special dialog opens, select the Link option on
the bottom left of the dialog (Figure 268). Click OK.
The cells now reference the copied data, and the formula bar shows a
reference beginning with {=DDE.
If you now edit the original cells, the linked cells will update.
Figure 268: Location of Link option on Paste Special dialog in Calc
320 OpenOffice.org 3.x Calc Guide