Object linking and embedding (OLE) (Windows only)

Photoshop is an OLE 2.0 server, which means it supports embedding or linking an image in an OLE container application (usually a word-processor or page-layout program). For example, you can insert Photoshop files and selections into other OLE applications such as Adobe PageMaker and Microsoft Word using copy and paste or other methods.

• Linking lets you place a link in the OLE container file that refers to the Photoshop file on the hard drive.
• Embedding lets you insert the Photoshop file into the OLE container file.

Once in the container application, an image can be double-clicked for editing in Photoshop. When closed in Photoshop, the image is updated in the container application.

To link or embed a selection or image in an OLE application:

Do one of the following:

• Copy a selection in Photoshop, and insert it in your OLE container application using the application's Paste Special command. Refer to your word-processing or page-layout application documentation for more instructions. Pasted selections can only be embedded, not linked.
• Use your OLE container application's Insert Object command to insert a new Photoshop image or existing Photoshop file as an OLE-embedded or OLE-linked object. Refer to your word-processing or page-layout application documentation for instructions.

To insert an unlinked screen-resolution bitmap into an OLE application:

With the move tool , use the left-mouse button to drag a selection to the OLE container application. When you drop the object, it appears as a 72-ppi bitmap, which cannot be automatically updated in Photoshop.

To modify and update a linked or embedded image in an OLE application:

1. Double-click the linked or embedded image in your word-processor or page-layout application to launch Adobe Photoshop (if it is not already running), and open the image for editing.
2. Modify the image as desired.
3. Do one of the following:
• For embedded images, close the file, or choose File > Update or File > Close & Return to <application name>.
• For linked images, save and close the file.

Note: You can also modify linked files without first opening the container document. The linked image will be updated the next time you open the document in its OLE container application.