OLE does lots of things. To grossly oversimplify, it allows applications to "talk to" each other. That is why you see Perl programs controlling Excel. In my Windows 2000, I typed OLE into help's window and got a good explanation.

This is a discussion of OLE to control PowerPoint. I have used it to control MS Word, too. The key, as the aformentioned thread points out is to understand the Object Model for the object you wish to manipulate (e.g. Word Doc, PPT presentation, etc.). This is often easier said than done. There are documents supplied with Active State perl to help. Some third-parties (e.g. this or this) also provide tools to help you browse objects. You can also check your local tech bookstore for books on the object models.

HTH, --traveler