I have an Excel workbook that includes bus route info. On an initial route summary page in the workbook I have a cell that is a hyperlink to a previously created MapPoint map on my computer. I want to put a simple reference copy of that map, almost as a kind of "thumbnail" image, on that summary page, just to provide a quick overview of the area covered by the route. I can place a MapPoint North America map object on the page, but just can't figure out how to link that object to the saved map. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Mark

Do you need it to be a map object?

Rather than pasting in an embedded map object, try just inserting a picture image. You can make a picture "hyperlink" to a file.

Eric

Hi, Eric.

I was looking for a live link to the map rather than a static image, so that if the map changes for some reason, it is reflected on the Excel page. I have room for a large enough image that it really is more than a thumbnail, and I'd like it to update automatically.

Mark

You can link the file when you embed it. In your Excel workbook, insert an object. Select the Create from File tab and browse to your map. Check the "Link to File" checkbox. Whenever the Excel workbook is opened, the user will be prompted to refresh the link. The problem with this is as long as the Excel workbook is open, your MapPoint file will be locked (toggled as read-only). Another potential problem is that your source file can be edited from Excel (right click, select Map Object and Edit). Doing this will open the file in MapPoint. Whatever changes that are made and saved will be reflected on the embedded object in Excel.

Thanks. Not sure why I couldn't figure that one out. Brain dead for a bit, I guess.