Linked & embedded objects across office apps
Keep charts, tables and objects linked between workbooks, documents and decks and update them correctly.
20 project-authored proposals · taxonomy v1.1 · 0 new benchmark runs. Verifiers and partial-credit rules below are designs, not executed results.
- Typical applications
- Excel · Word · PowerPoint
- Class GUI-need label
G2· GUI-essential
Task proposals · 20
Expand to inspect the complete original wording and proposed checks. Original proposal text remains English in both interfaces.
R04.07.01.04-T01 Paste-link an Excel summary table into a Word report
Original instruction
Copy range Summary!B3:F12 from input/q3_model.xlsx and paste it into input/q3_report.docx under heading 'Financial summary' as a linked object (Paste Special › Paste Link, formatted text) so it updates when the workbook changes. Save both files in place.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Excel · Word
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & click- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
docx has a LINK field (Excel.Sheet.12) whose source path is q3_model.xlsx and item Summary!R3C2:R12C6, placed under the heading; grader edits 3 workbook cells, runs Word COM UpdateLinks and checks the table text changes accordingly. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
40% LINK field with right source/range; 20% placement; 40% updates after source change.
R04.07.01.04-T02 Paste a linked Excel chart into a PowerPoint slide
Original instruction
Copy chart 'RevenueTrend' from input/kpis.xlsx and paste it onto slide 4 of input/monthly_review.pptx keeping source formatting and linking the data, sized to the content placeholder area. Save both files in place.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Excel · PowerPoint
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clickgeom· Precise geometry- Work product
WP03· Visual layout- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
Slide 4 chart part has externalData with r:id pointing to kpis.xlsx (TargetMode External) and autoUpdate settings; series refs match the source chart; frame within placeholder bounds; grader changes data and refreshes via COM: chart cache updates. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
45% linked chart with right source; 20% formatting kept; 15% size; 20% refresh works.
R04.07.01.04-T03 Repoint six Word links after the source workbook moved
Original instruction
input/board_memo.docx has 6 links (tables and charts) to a workbook at an old network path. The workbook now lives at input/data/board_figures_v2.xlsx. Using Edit Links to Files, change all 6 sources to the new file, update them, and keep each link's range and formatting.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-apphidden· Hidden/stale state- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
All 6 LINK fields/externalData targets point to board_figures_v2.xlsx with item ranges unchanged; values after update equal the new workbook; no reference to the old path anywhere in the package (grep of XML). VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
50% links repointed (pro-rata over 6); 30% values updated; 20% ranges/formatting preserved.
R04.07.01.04-T04 Embed an editable Excel worksheet object showing one range in Word
Original instruction
In input/proposal.docx section 4, insert an embedded (not linked) Excel worksheet object containing the pricing table from input/pricing.xlsx 'Quote'!A1:E14 with its formulas, cropped so only that range shows. Recipients must be able to double-click and edit it without the source file.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clickgeom· Precise geometry- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
docx has an embedded package (Excel.Sheet.12 OLE object) in section 4; embedded workbook contains the range with formulas (openpyxl data_only=False); visible area (oleObject extent/ProgID visible range) equals A1:E14; no external link. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
40% embedded object present; 30% formulas inside; 20% visible range; 10% no link.
R04.07.01.04-T05 Refresh eight linked charts and break links on two
Original instruction
input/sales_deck.pptx has 8 charts linked to input/sales_data.xlsx. Paste October data into the workbook's 'Monthly' table (from input/october.csv), refresh all 8 charts in PowerPoint, then break the link on the charts on slides 7 and 8 so they keep October values as standalone embedded charts.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- PowerPoint · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & click- Work product
WP03· Visual layout- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Workbook table includes October; 8 chart caches contain October values; slides 7–8 charts have no external link but embedded workbooks with October data; slides 1–6 charts still linked. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
20% source updated; 40% charts refreshed; 30% two links broken correctly; 10% others still linked.
R04.07.01.04-T06 Link ten inline numbers in report sentences to workbook cells
Original instruction
input/annual_letter.docx has 10 numbers inside sentences highlighted yellow. Replace each with a paste-linked value (unformatted text) from the cell named in input/number_map.csv in input/annual_model.xlsx so the sentence keeps its formatting, then remove the highlights.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
10 LINK fields with \t (text) switch pointing to the mapped cells, in place of the highlighted numbers; surrounding run formatting intact; highlights removed; grader changes the cells, updates links, and checks text updates. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
50% ten links correct (pro-rata); 20% formatting intact; 10% highlights removed; 20% update test.
R04.07.01.04-T07 Link a Calc range into a Writer document in LibreOffice
Original instruction
In LibreOffice, insert range Budget!A1:D20 of input/budget.ods into input/grant_narrative.odt section 'Budget' as a linked object (DDE link via Paste Special) so changes in Calc flow into Writer after Edit › Links › Update. Save both.
- Platforms
lin· Linuxmac· macOSwin· Windows- Applications
- LibreOffice
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & click- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
ODT content has a DDE connection (text:dde-connection-decl) to budget.ods with the right range; grader edits 2 cells via UNO, triggers link update, and checks the table text changes. Macros, UNO and the soffice CLI are disabled for the agent.
Proposed partial credit
45% DDE link with right range; 20% placement; 35% update works.
R04.07.01.04-T08 Insert a theme-matched linked chart into Word and update it
Original instruction
Copy chart 'Headcount' from input/hr_dash.xlsx into input/hr_report.docx using 'Use Destination Theme & Link Data'. Then, in Excel, add the 2026-Q3 column to the chart's source range so the chart includes it, and update the Word chart so it shows 7 quarters.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & click- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Word chart part has external link to hr_dash.xlsx; series use destination theme colors (schemeClr accents); chart cache has 7 categories incl. 2026-Q3 with values equal the workbook. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
35% linked with destination theme; 30% source range extended; 35% Word chart updated.
R04.07.01.04-T09 Embed an editable PowerPoint org-chart slide inside a Word document
Original instruction
Embed slide 3 (org chart) of input/team_overview.pptx into input/handbook.docx page 2 as an editable PowerPoint slide object, then edit the embedded slide in place to change 'Team Lead (vacant)' to 'Team Lead: Priya Rao'. The original .pptx must stay unchanged.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · PowerPoint
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
docx has an embedded PowerPoint.Slide.12 package whose single slide matches slide 3 with the edited text; preview image (EMF) shows the new text (OCR); original pptx hash unchanged. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
40% embedded slide object; 35% in-place edit in package; 15% preview updated; 10% original untouched.
R04.07.01.04-T10 Roll a monthly report pack forward to new workbook copies
Original instruction
input/sept_pack/report.docx has 12 links to 3 workbooks in input/sept_pack/. Create input/oct_pack/ with copies of all 4 files, repoint every link in the October report to the October workbooks (not September), paste October data from input/oct_data/ into those workbooks, update all links and change the report month text.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appnav· Pan/zoom/scrollclick· Point & click- Work product
WP09· Files & folders- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-apphidden· Hidden/stale statelong· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
oct_pack report: 12 links target oct_pack workbooks; zero references to sept_pack paths; linked values equal October data; September files unchanged (hashes); month text updated. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
15% folder copied; 40% links repointed; 25% October data flows through; 20% September untouched and month text updated.
R04.07.01.04-T11 Relink five broken chart links after a SharePoint migration
Original instruction
In input/ops_review.pptx, 5 linked charts show 'linked file not available' because they pointed to SharePoint URLs. Relink each to the matching workbook in input/local_data/ (by chart title), update them, and keep each chart's size, position and formatting.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- PowerPoint · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scrollmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP03· Visual layout- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-apphidden· Hidden/stale state- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
5 chart externalData targets are local files matching by title; caches equal those workbooks; graphicFrame xfrm unchanged (±0.01 in); no SharePoint URLs remain in rels. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
50% charts relinked correctly; 25% values updated; 15% geometry kept; 10% no old URLs.
R04.07.01.04-T12 Make a linked Word table follow a named range that grows
Original instruction
input/inventory_report.docx links to Stock!A1:F40 in input/inventory.xlsx, but rows are added monthly. Define a dynamic named range 'StockTable' in the workbook covering the table's current rows, change the Word link to use that name, keep \* MERGEFORMAT formatting, and update.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-apptype· Text & formsclick· Point & click- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Workbook defined name StockTable with dynamic formula; Word LINK field item = 'StockTable' with \* MERGEFORMAT; grader appends 5 rows, updates link via COM: Word table has 45 data rows with right values. VBA is disabled and the agent VM has no COM host or Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
30% dynamic name; 35% link uses name; 15% formatting switch; 20% grows correctly.
R04.07.01.04-T13 Finalize a document by breaking links but keeping editable charts
Original instruction
Prepare input/final_report.docx for external release: break every link to workbooks (tables become static, charts keep embedded data so recipients can still edit them), remove file paths from document properties and field codes, and save output/final_report_external.docx. Values must stay as currently displayed.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
No LINK fields or External relationships remain; chart parts have embedded workbooks with current values; table text equals pre-break values; no local paths in docProps or XML (regex for drive letters/'/Users/'). VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
35% links broken; 30% charts editable with data; 20% values unchanged; 15% paths scrubbed.
R04.07.01.04-T14 Build a fully linked model-to-deck-and-report chain
Original instruction
From input/plan_model.xlsx build output/plan_deck.pptx (6 linked charts per input/deck_spec.md) and output/plan_memo.docx (4 linked tables and 8 inline linked numbers per input/memo_spec.md), all paths relative to output/. The grader will change model inputs and press Update Links; every object must follow.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Excel · PowerPoint · Word
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clickgeom· Precise geometry- Work product
WP03· Visual layout- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-applong· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
Object inventory equals spec (types, source ranges); grader changes 5 inputs, recalcs, updates links in both files via COM; every chart cache, table and inline number equals the new model outputs. VBA is disabled and the agent VM has no COM host or Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
30% deck charts; 30% memo tables; 20% inline numbers; 20% end-to-end update test.
R04.07.01.04-T15 Make a linked report package work after moving to a Mac
Original instruction
input/win_package/ holds report.docx linked to 2 workbooks via Windows paths (C:\Reports\…). On macOS, repoint every link to the copies in the same folder, update them, and verify all values refresh; save so the package works from its current location.
- Platforms
mac· macOS- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP09· Files & folders- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-apphidden· Hidden/stale state- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
All link targets resolve to files inside the package folder (POSIX paths); no 'C:\' targets remain; grader edits values on a Mac runner, updates links via AppleScript-driven Word: values follow. VBA and osascript/JXA are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in Word and Excel.
Proposed partial credit
50% links repointed; 20% no Windows paths; 30% refresh works.
R04.07.01.04-T16 Audit and modernize 23 embedded objects in a 90-page manual
Original instruction
input/legacy_manual.docx (90 pages) has 23 embedded objects: Excel sheets, charts, PowerPoint slides, a PDF and 6 legacy Equation 3.0 objects. Convert the equations to native Word equations, update the 4 embedded Excel tables with input/new_specs.xlsx values, and list all objects (page, type, action) in output/object_inventory.csv.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Word · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scrollmulti· Cross-app- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-applong· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
No Equation.3 OLE objects; 6 OMML equations whose math equals originals; 4 embedded workbooks contain new values and their previews show them (OCR); inventory precision/recall vs 23 objects. VBA is disabled and the agent VM has no COM host or Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
35% equations converted; 30% embedded tables updated; 35% inventory.
R04.07.01.04-T17 Control pair of T03: rewrite link targets in the DOCX package by script
Original instruction
Control pair of T03. From the terminal, rewrite the 6 external link targets and LINK field paths in input/board_memo.docx to input/data/board_figures_v2.xlsx by editing the package XML, and confirm with a script that no old paths remain. Cached values need not refresh.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- Python · lxml
- Interfaces
term· Terminal- GUI need · task setting
CL· CLI-sufficient- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
code· Code & commands- Work product
WP01· Document- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
Same path checks as T03 (6 targets, no old path); value refresh not required, highlighting what only the app can do; compared with T03.
Proposed partial credit
70% six targets rewritten; 30% no old paths remain.
R04.07.01.04-T18 Chain Excel linked pictures into a PowerPoint dashboard slide
Original instruction
In input/dash.xlsx create a linked picture (camera) of 'Calc'!B2:H9 on sheet 'Dashboard', then paste that dashboard region into slide 2 of input/exec_brief.pptx as a linked picture so updates to 'Calc' propagate to both. Save both.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Excel · PowerPoint
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clickgeom· Precise geometry- Work product
WP03· Visual layout- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
Excel drawing has a picture with formula ='Calc'!$B$2:$H$9; slide 2 has a linked picture/OLE link to dash.xlsx Dashboard range; grader changes Calc cells and updates: rendered slide region shows new values (OCR). VBA is disabled and the agent VM has no COM host or Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
35% Excel linked picture; 35% PowerPoint link; 30% propagation test.
R04.07.01.04-T19 Attach a linked Word file and an embedded PDF icon in a workbook
Original instruction
In input/project_tracker.xlsx sheet 'Docs', insert input/scope.docx as a linked object displayed as an icon in cell C4, and embed input/contract.pdf (not linked) as an icon in C6 with caption 'Contract'. Saving the workbook must keep the PDF inside it.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Excel · Word
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clickgeom· Precise geometry- Work product
WP02· Records/table- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-app- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Workbook has 2 oleObjects: one linked (oleLink to scope.docx, DVASPECT_ICON) anchored at C4, one embedded package whose bytes hash-equal contract.pdf anchored at C6 with icon label 'Contract'. VBA is disabled and the agent VM has no COM host or Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
45% linked Word icon; 45% embedded PDF; 10% anchors.
R04.07.01.04-T20 Update nine embedded (unlinked) charts from a new data workbook
Original instruction
The 9 charts in input/investor_deck.pptx are embedded, not linked. Using each chart's Edit Data, replace their data with Q3 values from input/q3_data.xlsx (sheet per chart), extend ranges where a new category was added, and keep chart formatting. Do not convert them to linked charts.
- Platforms
win· Windowsmac· macOS- Applications
- PowerPoint · Excel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
multi· Cross-appclick· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP03· Visual layout- Conditions
multiapp· Multi-applong· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
Each chart's embedded workbook and cache equal q3_data values; category count updated where needed; no external links; chart formatting XML (spPr, colors) unchanged. VBA, COM and AppleScript automation are disabled and the VM has no Python, so link and object edits must happen in the apps.
Proposed partial credit
60% charts updated (pro-rata over 9); 20% ranges extended; 10% formatting kept; 10% still embedded.
Mapped research references
Existing benchmark-to-class links from the research catalog. They are not record-level annotations, executions or product endorsements.