(2016) Data link Merged Cell Format Issue

[jdelforge5684]

Good morning. I'm looking for a bit of help (or at least understanding) with a data link problem I'm having. My firm recently adopted the use of Data Links to show excel docs on drawings for our clients. By and large, it works well but there's a couple problems with merged cells "squishing" other rows to a zero height. (Files are attached).

I'll start with our procedure in case we need to change something there:

- create the excel file and define the named range we're to use

- create a data link in ACAD.

  - full path, link to named range, convert data to text and solve, use excel formatting, start with Excel but do not update

- Insert table, use data link, and done.

(all following cell references are for in-range as seen by CAD, not in the Excel file)

The problems: 

Title block: when we have a second line of text, it seems to expand row 1 to fit the text while reducing rows 2&3 to nothing, which interferes with the merged cell starting at H2. The text will display, but it is crammed down to appear in row 4, while the cells starting at H1 (which don't need to be very tall) are abnormally tall. 

Phase Labels: the merged cell starting in A5 seems to force the text to fit into rows 5&6, leaving 7&8 again reduced to zero. This interferes with the phase labels (D-F 7-8).

The Band-Aid solution:

once the tables are made, I can click into the cells and resize which will "reinflate" the crushed rows, then i can drag them back close to where they belong. For example if I resize A5-8, rows 7&8 come back, then I can drag the size back down a bit to get it closer to where it belongs. I get a similar result with A1, however I noticed that when I drag it back up to return to the correct(ish) size, it only moves incrementally; I have to re-shrink it about 8 or 9 times before it stops actually adjusting. While this is better, it is both very impractical (often jobs have 15+ panel schedules). It also doesn't address the initial disproportionally large rows (1, 5&6).

I hope I've given enough information, and any help would be appreciated.

<edit: forgot to save files before upload, correct files are posted now>

[stevetamplen]

Hello jdelforge5684 and welcome to the Forums!

Have you seen this post? It might help your issue:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017/datalink-solved-for-us/td-p/6042113

If my post answers your question, please click the "Accept as Solution" button. This helps everyone find answers more quickly!

[Anonymous]

 I have finally figured this out (months later) and thought I would note the answer for others who might have similar problems.

The issue occurs when rows are merged to make a wider row. If rows 3 & 4 are merged all the way across for a nice title, AutoCAD is going to have a bad time with it. If, however, they are only merged partly, they should be fine. Essentially, if you can measure each row, you're golden.

Essentially, if you desire a wider row, do not merge rows together in Excel. Simply widen the row.

(Scenario 1: three rows merged together -- bad time)

3: |                                         |
4: |             BIG TITLE INFO HERE         |
5: |                                         |


(Scenario 2: one fat row -- happy AutoCAD)

3: |                                            |   
   |             BIG TITLE INFO HERE            |
   |____________________________________________|
4: | Subtitle | Information| Stuff | Etc.       |

(Scenario 3: not fully merged rows -- copacetic AutoCAD)

3: |             |                       |__JOB#___|
4: |__WHEN/WHERE_|  BIG TITLE INFO HERE  |         |
5: | DATE | TIME |                       | COMPANY |