An OLE object may display as an icon. Double clicking the icon opens the associated object application or asks the user to select an application for object editing.

Alternatively, an OLE object may display as actual contents, such as a graph or chart. For example, an external application chart, such as an Excel spreadsheet, may be inserted into a Word application. When the chart is activated in the Word document, the chart's user interface loads, and the user is able to manipulate the external chart's data inside the Word document.

OLE-supported software applications include:

• Microsoft Windows applications, such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Corel WordPerfect
• Adobe Acrobat
• AutoCAD
• Multimedia applications, like photos, audio/video clips and PowerPoint presentations.

OLE has certain disadvantages, as follows:

• Embedded objects increase the host document file size, resulting in potential storage or loading difficulties.
• Linked objects can break when a host document is moved to a location that does not have the original object application.
• Interoperability is limited. If the embedded or linked object application is unavailable, the object cannot be manipulated or edited.