Fix: Embedded Objects Not Showing in Word

The Problem

You embedded an Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation, or PDF in your Word document, but it’s not visible. The object is there (file size is larger), but you only see an empty placeholder or an icon. Double-clicking the object doesn’t open it or shows only the icon. Linked objects show broken link icons instead of content.

Quick Fix

Uncheck Display as Icon immediately:

1. Right-click the hidden object or icon in your document
2. Select Edit Object or Object
3. Look for properties/options dialog
4. Find and uncheck: “Display as icon”
5. Check: “Display as” content instead
6. Click OK or Update
7. The object should now display as preview/content instead of just icon

If object still doesn’t show, proceed to Step-by-Step Solution.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Identify if Object is Embedded or Linked

Different fixes apply depending on type.

1. Right-click the object icon or placeholder
2. A context menu appears
3. If you see “Edit Link” or “Update Link,” it’s linked (references external file)
4. If you see “Edit Object” or “Object,” it’s embedded (contained within Word file)
5. Note which type you have

Step 2: Fix Linked Objects That Won’t Display

Linked objects break if source file moves.

1. Right-click the broken link icon
2. Select Edit Link or Links (or go to File > Info > Edit Links to Files)
3. The Links dialog opens
4. Select your broken link in the list
5. Click Change Source
6. Navigate to where the file actually is now
7. Select it and click Open
8. Click OK
9. The link is now valid and should display
10. Alternatively, click Break Link to convert to embedded (if you want the object copied into Word instead of linked)

Step 3: Convert Linked to Embedded

If links are causing display problems, embed instead.

1. Right-click the linked object
2. Select Edit Link or go to File > Info > Edit Links to Files
3. In the Links dialog, select the object
4. Click Break Link
5. Word converts the object from linked to embedded
6. The object is now copied into the Word file
7. File size increases, but object is no longer dependent on external file

Step 4: Delete and Re-insert the Object Properly

If the object is corrupted or won’t display even as embedded:

1. Right-click the object icon or placeholder
2. Press Delete
3. Now reinsert it correctly:
   • Go to Insert > Object (or Insert > Text > Object depending on Word version)
   • Choose Create from File
   • Click Browse to select your file
   • Important: Check “Embed” checkbox (don’t check “Link”)
   • Click OK
   • The object is now reinserted as embedded

Step 5: Enable Display of Embedded Preview

Some objects are embedded but set to display as icon only.

1. Right-click the object
2. Select Object or Edit Object
3. A properties dialog or the application opens
4. Look for options related to display:
   • Uncheck “Display as icon”
   • Or select “Show preview” if available
5. Click OK or Update
6. The object should now display as preview instead of icon

Step 6: Update the Object Content

If embedded object is outdated:

1. Double-click the object
2. The source application opens (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
3. Edit the content
4. Close the application or click outside the object
5. Changes are saved to the embedded object
6. Word document now shows updated content

Step 7: Check File Associations

If Word can’t open the embedded object type:

1. Right-click the object
2. Try to edit it (double-click or “Edit Object”)
3. If nothing happens, the file type isn’t recognized
4. Go to File > Options > Trust Center
5. Click Trust Center Settings
6. Click Trusted File Types
7. Look for your file type (Excel, PDF, etc.)
8. Ensure it’s listed and trusted
9. If not trusted, you may need to install that application

Step 8: Rebuild Object if Severely Corrupted

If all else fails:

1. Select the problematic object
2. Right-click and delete it
3. Create a new, simpler object to test:
   • Go to Insert > Object > Create from File
   • Select a basic file (like a simple PDF or image)
   • Check Embed, uncheck Display as icon
   • Click OK
4. If this new object displays, the previous one was corrupted
5. You’ll need to recreate the original object

Step 9: Verify Application is Installed

Embedded objects require the source application.

1. If your document contains embedded Excel, you need Excel installed (or Office with Excel)
2. If it contains PDF, you need a PDF reader
3. If the source application isn’t installed, objects won’t display properly
4. Install the required application from Microsoft Office or the publisher

Why This Happens

1. Display as Icon checked — Object is embedded but set to show only icon
2. Linked file moved — Source file was deleted or moved to different location
3. Corrupted object — Object embedded but data corrupted during insertion
4. Missing source application — Computer doesn’t have Excel, PowerPoint, etc. installed
5. Outdated OLE connection — Object Linking and Embedding connection broken
6. File type not trusted — Word security settings prevent displaying object type
7. Copy/paste without embedding — Content pasted as link instead of embedded
8. Version incompatibility — Newer object format not compatible with Word version

How to Prevent It

1. Always embed, never link — Unless you specifically need linked updates
2. Uncheck “Display as icon” — Immediately after inserting object
3. Verify object displays before saving — Test that it’s visible before closing Word
4. Keep source files accessible — If using links, don’t move original files
5. Use simple file types — PDFs and images display more reliably than complex files
6. Include source application — Ensure Excel/PowerPoint installed if embedding those formats
7. Test on clean computer — Verify object displays on other computers
8. Save document after inserting object — Ensures object is properly saved with Word file

Still Not Working? Alternative Solutions

1. Insert as image instead — Convert object to PDF or image, then insert as picture (Insert > Pictures)
2. Use Link to File feature — Insert > Object > Create from File > Link to file (if source accessible)
3. Copy/paste content directly — For Excel, copy cells and paste directly into Word table
4. Create native Word alternative — Use Word tables instead of embedded spreadsheets
5. Save as PDF instead — Export Word document to PDF if possible (objects may not carry over)
6. Reinstall Office applications — Ensure all Office applications properly installed
7. Contact publisher — If specialized object, contact publisher for compatibility info
8. Use Office Online — Edit in Word Online which may handle objects differently

Key Takeaways

• Uncheck “Display as icon” to show embedded object preview instead of just icon
• Embed objects (don’t link) for self-contained documents
• Use File > Info > Edit Links to Files for managing linked objects
• Delete and reinsert if object corrupted (Insert > Object > Create from File > Embed)
• Ensure source application installed (Excel for Excel objects, etc.)
• Test object visibility immediately after inserting, before saving
• Linked objects break if source file moves—embed or update link location
• Very large documents with many objects may display slowly; consider alternatives