Add and update a linked table in Google Slides
To add cells from Google Sheets to your Google Slides presentation as a linked table, copy the range, paste it onto a slide, and select Link to spreadsheet. This lets you carry changes in the source file over to the table in your presentation. Edits made in the presentation are not copied to the source file; edits made in the source file can overwrite changes in the presentation when the linked object is updated. This matters when deciding which file will be used to manage the table data. According to Google’s guidance on linked tables, you must do this on a computer.
Linked or unlinked?
Use Link to spreadsheet if you want to keep the source data in Google Sheets and refresh the table in your presentation when needed. Paste unlinked adds the table independently of the source spreadsheet. Do not assume that changes you make to a linked table in the presentation will be carried over to the source file. Changes you make in the source file may be applied to the object in the presentation when you update it, so do not assume that formatting edits made in the presentation will be preserved.
For sharing, consider the source file and the presentation separately: Google says that people with access to the presentation can see linked tables even if they do not have access to the source file. Before sharing the presentation, review the content shown in the table and the presentation’s sharing scope.
Add a table step by step
- Open the source spreadsheet on your computer. Select the cell range you want to use and choose Edit > Copy. Google’s instructions specify that you should open Google Sheets in Chrome or Firefox for this copying step.
- In Google Slides, open the target presentation and select the insertion point on the slide where you want to place the table. Choose Edit > Paste.
- In the prompt that appears, select Link to spreadsheet or Paste unlinked, then click Paste. The option names on your screen may be in a different language; check whether the selected option is linked or unlinked.
- Review the table you added. Confirm that it includes the necessary rows and columns and that the content is readable. To improve its appearance, consider excluding unnecessary columns when selecting the range.
According to the limit specified by Google, tables larger than 400 cells are pasted into a document unlinked; a table that is already linked cannot be expanded beyond 400 cells. If the link matters, check the cell count before adding the table. For a larger dataset, choosing a smaller, meaningful range to show in the presentation may be a practical option.
Carry source changes over to the presentation
After changing the source data in Sheets, check the table in your presentation. If there is an Update button next to the linked table, select it to refresh the table. To manage multiple linked objects, open Tools > Linked objects and use Update next to an individual object or select Update all. Google’s update instructions explain these options.
If Update or Update all is not visible, Google says the object may be unlinked or already up to date. So do not draw a firm conclusion just because the button is missing; check which link option you selected when adding the table and the object’s status.
Example: monthly project status
Hypothetical example: A team tracks a project in Sheets using the columns “Work package,” “Owner,” and “Status.” The team wants to show only the rows being reported that month in a presentation. It selects the relevant cell range and pastes it as a linked table onto the “Project status” slide. Before the meeting, the team updates the statuses in the source spreadsheet and uses Update in Slides.
In this workflow, the source data stays in Sheets; the presentation serves as a view for sharing that data. Do not expect changes made in the presentation to be saved in the source. If the table looks too wide in the presentation, try selecting a more suitable cell range; also verify whether the linked object has been updated by comparing the values in the presentation with the source. For table layout, see our guide to adjusting row height in Google Slides.
Troubleshooting and identifying the link type
Some rows are missing: Check the range you selected in the source and the table’s cell count. A selection larger than 400 cells may be pasted unlinked.
Changes in the presentation do not appear in the source: This is expected; edits made in the presentation are not copied to the source spreadsheet. Edit the source data in Sheets.
There is no Update option in the presentation: The object may have been added unlinked or may already be up to date. Check which option you used when adding it.
A linked table is not the same as an ordinary URL link. Instructions for adding a URL to text or selected content in Slides, or changing an existing link, are available in Google’s help on links and bookmarks. This is different from adding a range of Sheets cells as a linked table. For more suggestions on navigating slides, see our guide to creating a table of contents slide in Google Slides.
Final checklist
- I selected the correct spreadsheet and cell range.
- When pasting, I chose the linked or unlinked option based on what I need.
- If I want a link, the table does not exceed the 400-cell limit.
- I checked the content that people with access to the presentation can see.
- After changing the source data, I checked the table in the presentation and updated it if needed.
Frequently asked questions
If I edit the table on a slide, will Google Sheets change too?
No. Changes you make to the linked object in the presentation are not copied to the source spreadsheet. Edit the source data in the spreadsheet.
Do I need to update the linked table after every change?
If you made changes to the source, check whether the table in the presentation is up to date. If Update is visible, use it when needed. If the option is not visible, the object may be unlinked or already up to date.
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