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Sharing information with other applications
You can share files and graphics between IBM® Notes® and other applications using a number of different techniques.
Advanced shared information topics
These tasks describe how to work with object linking and embedding, and how to import or export formatted data.
Object linking and embedding
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) is a technology that lets you share data between applications and is supported for Microsoft™ Windows™.
Creating links to other applications or data
You can create links to data in other applications; to other IBM® Notes® documents, views and applications; or to embedded objects by creating a linked OLE object in a rich-text field.

Sharing information with other applications
You can share files and graphics between IBM® Notes® and other applications using a number of different techniques.
- Getting started with sharing information
  These tasks explain how to copy data into Notes, and how to share your Notes data with other applications.
- Sharing information with other applications quick reference
  This quick reference card is a list of instructions for common tasks and shortcuts for sharing information with other applications, which you can print and keep at your desk for easy reference.
- Working with shared information
  These tasks explain how to import and export data between Notes and other applications.
- Advanced shared information topics
  These tasks describe how to work with object linking and embedding, and how to import or export formatted data.
  - Object linking and embedding
    Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) is a technology that lets you share data between applications and is supported for Microsoft™ Windows™.
    - Embedding data in a Notes document
      You can embed data from another application into a rich-text field in an IBM® Notes® document.
    - Creating links to other applications or data
      You can create links to data in other applications; to other IBM® Notes® documents, views and applications; or to embedded objects by creating a linked OLE object in a rich-text field.
      - How can I create a link to another application?
        The following helps you create links to other applications.
      - How can I create a link to another application by dragging and dropping?
        Drag and drop files to other applications.
      - How can I create a link to a Notes document, view, or application?
        You can create a link to a Notes® document, view, or application in another Notes document or in another OLE 2.0 application.
      - How can I create a link to an embedded object?
        If you're using Windows®, you can create a link from an IBM® Notes® document, or another OLE application, to an embedded object in Notes.
      - How can I update a link manually?
        Manually update links when you open a document.
      - How can I update a link automatically?
        Make your links automatically update as objects are edited.
      - How can I break a link?
        When you break a link, the data remains in the Notes® document as static text, meaning you can no longer access it.
      - How can I edit a link?
        You can edit a link's data by launching the source OLE application from Notes®.
      - How can I copy a link or picture of a link?
        You can make an editable copy of a link, or just a picture, in which the data can only be read.
      - How can I change the display of a link?
        Change the display format for links.
  - What is OLE 2.0?
    Put your short description here; used for first paragraph and abstract.
  - What is OCX?
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  - Troubleshooting tips for embedding OLE objects and ActiveX controls
    There are several reasons you may see the message: An error has occurred while processing a request on an object.
  - How can I export documents in a view into structured text files?
    Structured text is ASCII text. Exporting from an IBM® Notes® view to structured text creates a file containing the text of the documents, minus any rich-text attributes, as well as all data in document fields.
  - How can I export view data into tabular text files?
    Tabular text is ASCII text arranged in rows and columns, separated by tabs. When you export a view to a tabular text file, each row in the IBM® Notes® view becomes a text row (line). Each column in the view becomes a text column, separated by space characters. The contents of the Notes fields shown in the view become the entries in each column.
  - How can I export view data in CSV files?
    You can export IBM® Notes® view data to a CSV file. The Comma Separated Value (CSV) file format is a simple ASCII text file with one record per line, whose fields are separated by commas. The documents in the view will appear as individual records in the CSV file.
  - How can I import structured text files?
    Structured text is ASCII text that is structured in fields that contain values. When importing structured text into a view, you must select an IBM® Notes® form to accept the data.
  - How can I import tabular text files?
    Tabular text is ASCII text arranged in rows and columns, separated by tabs. When you import a tabular text file into a view, each text row becomes an individual document, and each text column becomes a field. The original table cell contents become field contents.
  - How can I import 1-2-3® spreadsheet files into views?
    When you import a Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet file into a view, each row becomes an individual document and each column becomes a field. The original cell contents become the field contents. You can import data into either main documents or response documents.
  - How can I modify an OLE object or ActiveX custom control using Notes® properties?
    With IBM® Notes® properties, you can modify an embedded OLE object or ActiveX custom control to make it more useful to you. For example, by editing the Width property, you could widen an Excel spreadsheet to display more information on your screen.

Creating links to other applications or data

You can create links to data in other applications; to other IBM® Notes® documents, views and applications; or to embedded objects by creating a linked OLE object in a rich-text field.

A linked object is a direct gateway to the data in the source application, so you can see any changes made in the source application when you open the link in Notes®. To create a linked OLE object, both the original application and your operating system must support OLE technology.

When you click a link, a new menu appears in Notes®. The name of the menu reflects the type of application you are linking to.

You can perform the following tasks related to links.