Altium Designer Documentation
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Dialog Reference
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OLE Object
This document is no longer available beyond version 17.1. Information can now be found here: OLE Object for version 25
The OLE Object dialog allows users to manage properties for OLE objects.
Summary
This dialog allows users to define properties for OLE Objects.
Objecting Linking and Embedding (OLE) capabilities allow for the placement of objects supplied by other Windows OLE applications to be embedded in a PCB design while actively linking back to the source application. In many cases, this allows the embedded PCB data to be edited from within the application that created it.
Typical objects that might be placed in a PCB document include common Excel documents, Word documents or graphics objects from a suitable OLE image application. The supported file types include universal formats such as CSV and XLS format spreadsheets, DOC and RTF Word documents, and 8-bit BMP and JPG image files.
For more information, see the OLE Objects page.
Access
The dialog can be accessed during placement by selecting Place » Object From File from the toolbar and then pressing the Tab key. After placement, the dialog can be accessed by double-clicking on an OLE Object or by right-clicking on the object and selecting Properties from the context menu.
Options/Controls
- Rotation - Define the degree of rotation, if any, for the OLE object.
- Location X/Y - Define or edit the X and Y axis of the OLE object to set its placement location.
- Layer - Select a layer from the dropdown menu on which to place to OLE object.
- Edit Data - Open the object for editing in its matching OLE application. When the file is saved in the application, the results will be reflected in the embedded PCB object. For example, if the OLE Object is an
XLSfile, the file will open in Microsoft Excel. After making and saving changes in Excel, those changes will be reflected on the PCB.
Tips
An OLE Object can also be converted to a collection of free primitive objects using the Tools » Convert » Explode OLE Object to Free Primitives command. This will break the object into appropriate Regions and/or Text objects.
A convert to free primitives option is also offered if the matching OLE application cannot be found when attempting to edit an OLE Object.