An object that supports the OLE protocol for object linking and embedding. An OLE object from an OLE server, for example, a Windows Paint picture or a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, can be linked or embedded in a field, form, or report. A linked OLE object displays the object’s data in a form or report, but the data remains stored in its original file. You can edit a linked OLE object from the form or report and save changes to the original file, but it can still be opened and edited from the OLE server. When the information in the object is changed by the OLE server, the change is reflected in Microsoft Access. In contrast, an embedded OLE object is a copy of the information created in the OLE server that is stored in the database file. Changes made to the original file aren't reflected in Microsoft Access, and likewise, changes made to the embedded object aren’t saved back to the original file.