Comparison of Table Types
The add-in allows you to update Word and PowerPoint tables in 3 ways: 1. Destination-formatted tables, 2. Excel-formatted (Flex) tables, and 3. Via an image of the source range/table. The table below compares these 3 methods.
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Tables (Destination-formatted)
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Flex tables (Excel-formatted)
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Table images
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Summary
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- The original (and default) table type
- Only transfers the table text content from Excel, not formatting
- Formatting is applied in the destination (Word or PowerPoint) -- the update does not modify the format
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- Flexible formatting options
- Allow updating of Word tables with Excel-formatting
- Fast
- Great for financial reports
- Not supported in PowerPoint
- Easy to format
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- Transfers an exact image of the Excel range/table
- Can result in large files sizes
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How it Works
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Only the Excel table text/values are transferred to Word/PowerPoint. The text is updated in the destination table, but the table format is not modified. The add-in resizes the destination table (by inserting/deleting rows/columns) to match the size of the Excel table/range.
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Tables (including format) are created in Excel and replace the Word tables.
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The Excel add-in creates an image of the range which replaces the Word/PowerPoint image
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Compatibitliy
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no limits (works in Word & PowerPoint; Windows, Macs & Online; Add-in & Cloud updates)
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Word only (also works with Cloud/template updates and the API)
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Not directly compatible with Macs (see workaround)^1
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Size in desination file
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Small
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Small
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Large transfer and file sizes
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Update speed
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Word add-in updates can be slow for large tables
Cloud updates are fast
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Fast: can update dozens of large tables in seconds
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Fast
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Formatting
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- Uses destination format (only updates text)
- Table format can be modified in Word/PPT
- 3 insert/link options (with 1 "Insert Content / Update Link" button):
- If no table is selected, the add-in inserts a new table
- If existing table is selected (with your format), it links it
- If you want it to look like Excel: copy the range/table from Excel, then past into Word/PowerPoint with source format, then link
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- Can use source (Excel) or specified table format or mix
- Changes to table format in Word will be over-written by update
- Table Styles not applied ^2
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- Appears the same as it does in Excel
- See fix for missing borders ^1
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Merged Cells
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Yes, with limits
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Yes
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Yes
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Excel Named Ranges
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Excel Tables (Data Tables)
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Yes
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Yes (Table Styles are ignored ^2)
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Yes
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PivotTables
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Yes
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Yes (PivotTable Styles are ignored ^2)
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Yes
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Conditional Formatting
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No
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No
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Yes
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| HTML Formatting |
No |
Yes - cells can contain HTML content |
No |
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Works with Cloud Updates (including Personal and Business templates)
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Yes
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Yes (inserts line break after the table)
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Yes
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Table re-sizing
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Yes, it inserts/deletes rows/columns to match the Excel table size. There are limits ^3
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Yes - it recreates and replaces the destination (Word) table
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Yes - it replaces the destination image
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Appropriate for large financial tables and reports
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Not likely (slow, formating limitations)
May be good for Cloud Updates (incl templates)
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Yes
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No (large file sizes)
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Potential Issues
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Slow update speeds for large tables
Formatting limitations ^3
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Requires some content between tables ^4
Cloud updates insert a line break after the table
Office Online limitations ^5
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Low resolution > make font larger in Excel
Large file size
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^1 Table images Mac and borders workaround: in Excel: copy the range, paste it as a "Linked Picture", then name that shape (starting with your prefix)
^2 When using Excel Tables (e.g. "Format as Table"), as opposed to named ranges, the Table Syles are ignored. You must explicitly apply formats (font color/size, background, borders, etc.) to appear in the Word table. All formats applied to named ranges can appear in the Word table. PivotTables work the same way as Excel Tables.
^3 Dest Table formatting limitations: The add-in inserts/deletes rows/columns (before the last row/column) to match the Excel table size. Uses the next-to-the-last row/column as the style template. With complex formatting when resizing is needed, it may insert/delete row at wrong location resulting in misplaced/offset row formats.
Also, the add-in can't resize both columns and rows in 1 update (though Cloud Updates can).
^4 Word requires some content (e.g. a line break) after a Flex table if there is another table (any type) directly below it
^5 Office Online may experience other issues, such as some appearance differences and some other incompatibilities. Office on Windows or Macs is recommended for Flex tables.