Source

Specify how you want Prism to link to your original data file.

The Source tab of the Import and Paste Special dialog lets you choose between importing or pasting just the values, linking to a file, or embedding a data object.

Insert Data only

Prism retains no link back to the Excel spreadsheet or text file. The values will be pasted and nothing else. The only advantage to using this method is that it is conceptually simpler.

Insert and Maintain Link

Paste or Import the values into the data table but also create a link back to the original file. The link has two functions. It lets you trace (and document) the source of the data so you stay organized. It also is a live link. If you edit or replace the data in the original data file, Prism will update the analyses and graphs. With Prism for Windows, you can link directly to a text or Excel file. Prism for Mac will link only to text files. With Prism Windows, the Link option is available only if you paste from an Excel workbook that has a name. If you are working with a new Excel file, you must first save it (thus giving it a name) before you can link its data into Prism.

Embed as OLE object (Windows only)

Paste or Import the selected data into the data table and also paste a copy of the entire original spreadsheet or text file into your Prism project, even if it has several worksheets (tabs). This means you don’t need to worry about keeping track of multiple files. You don't need to save the spreadsheet file separately (except as a backup). You can open Excel from within Prism, edit the data, and instantly update the analyses and graphs in Prism. A potential disadvantage of embedding is that you will end up with multiple copies of the same data. Another disadvantage is that your Prism files will be larger.

Automatically update Prism when the data file is changed

If you check this option, whenever you look at a Prism data table, graph, results sheet, or layout, Prism will update the sheet if the linked Excel file has been changed.

How to interpret spaces and commas

The choices are self-explanatory, but important.