Creating OLE Links
If you want to import a file that might change later, you might be better off creating a dynamic link to that file than importing it outright. With a link in place, if the file changes later, the changes will be reflected in the file imported into Access.
It's Slower
Don't use this procedure unless you are sure you need a link, rather than a simple import. Having a link in your database slows Access down when it opens a file.
Follow these steps to create a table in Access that's linked to an external file:
Change the drive or folder if necessary.
Select the file type from the Files of type drop-down list.
Double-click the file name to open the file or select the file and click the Link button.
With some types of database files, you'll be asked to choose an Index file. Choose one if you have one; otherwise click Cancel to exit that dialog box.
If you're importing a spreadsheet or text file, you'll go through the respective Wizard for that file type, as you learned earlier in the lesson.
When you get a message saying the task is complete, click OK.
When the import is complete, look on the Tables tab. You'll see your linked file, with an icon (representing the type of type you are linked to) and a right arrow beside it, indicating the link. In this lesson, you learned to import and export data.