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Embed desk widgets and other files in a document

Show a live desk widget, such as a table or a checklist, inside a document, slide, design or diagram, and add a card that opens another Office file.

All plansUpdated

A document can show a widget from one of your desks, such as a table of figures or a checklist, right on the page. The embed reads the widget each time the document opens, so it shows the widget's current content rather than a copy that goes out of date.

You can also add a card that names another Office file and opens it, so a report can point to the spreadsheet behind it.

Before you start

  • Plans. Embedding works on every plan.
  • A widget to embed. It must already be on a desk. See Add a widget to a desk.
  • Where you can embed widgets. In PlexiDocs, PlexiSlides, PlexiDesign and PlexiDiagrams. Cards for other Office files are a PlexiDocs feature.

Embed a widget in a document

  1. Click where the widget should go.
  2. Choose Insert > Widget from a desk. Or type / and choose Insert widget from a desk.
  3. The Widget from a desk window lists each desk with its widgets. Type in Search widgets or desks… to narrow it by a widget's name or kind, or by a desk's name.
  4. Click the widget.

The widget appears as a card in the document, headed with its name and the desk it comes from.

In PlexiSlides, PlexiDesign and PlexiDiagrams, the same window opens from Insert > Widget from a desk.

What the card shows

Widget In the document
Table Its columns and rows.
Note or Markdown holding a checklist The checklist.
Sticky, Note, Markdown, Card and Page Their text.
Any other kind Its name and kind, with a line suggesting you open its desk to see it.

The card is read-only. To change what it shows, edit the widget on its desk; the document shows the change the next time you open it.

If the widget is deleted, the card says This widget no longer exists.

Add a card for another Office file

  1. In PlexiDocs, click where the card should go.
  2. Type / and choose Insert office file (Embed a document, sheet or slides).
  3. In Insert an office file, type in Search office files to find it, then click the file.

The card shows the file's name and kind. Click Open on the card to open the file in its editor.

Move or remove an embed

  • Move a card by dragging it to another place in the document.
  • Remove it by clicking the card so it is outlined, then pressing Delete or Backspace. The widget or file itself is not affected.

In exports

A Word, PDF or web export holds a placeholder line where each embed was: Embedded desk widget for a widget, and Embedded PlexiOffice document for a file card. To include the actual figures, copy them into the document before you export.

Common questions

The picker says there are no widgets. It lists widgets on your desks. If it says No widgets on any desk yet, add a widget to a desk first. A desk with nothing that can be embedded shows No embeddable widgets on this desk.

Can I link to a desk or a person instead? Yes. Type @ in a document to link to a desk, room, widget, document or person. See Insert with / and link with @.

Can I put the whole document on a desk instead? Yes. See Put a document, spreadsheet or deck on a desk.

Still need help? Contact support at [email protected].