Excel spreadsheets

[Anonymous]

When I copy an excel spreadsheet and use AutoCAD paste special, paste link, there are two options: Ts and AutoCAD Entities.  Both types appear to be dynamically linked to the spreadsheet, so is there a benefit to using either one?

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I would avoid using either. I suggest creating a DATALINK to the file.  OLE is IMHO troublesome at best.

If you paste as AutoCAD Entities all the lines and text (numbers) are just AutoCAD objects and will no longer be related to Excel in any fashion.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Here is an article that will help explain the Paste Special feature.

Some of the problems I have seen with pasting a link or just embedding the spreadsheet include printing issue, updating issues, loss of the original Excel file breaking the use of the OLE file.

Please let me know how you decide to proceed and if you require additional resources or information.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

John,

Under the paste Link bullet, there are two options in 2017, Ts or AutoCAD Entities.  Both appear to update automatically if I make any changes to the linked spreadsheet.  I am wondering which one is better Ts or AutoCAD Entities.

Thank you.

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

Pasting the linked Excel vs. the linked AutoCAD Entities has the obvious difference of formatting. Both methods create a datalinked relationship to the Excel file.

I recommend creating the data link first and then inserting a table based upon your datalink. This lets you have much better control of how the table is set up, how it is formatted, and how the data is extracted.

Either way of course works but I see less issues when using the method I suggest than with the Paste Special method.

If you elect to use paste special you stillhave the option of editing the datalinks though. Just rt-click on the datalink, select edit and then you will see all the options.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

John (or anyone),

I'm running AutoCAD 2017 and Excel 2016. I have tried both ways to make a link between my AutoCAD drawing and an Excel spreadsheet. I tried the Paste Special method and I've tried the Data Link first method. Both times, I can update the spread sheet wihich reflects in AutoCAD. BUT, when trying to update in AutoCAD, the spreadsheet does not change. I read some forums that recommended the two softwares are compatible bit rates and they are. 

So, I guess I need a step by step answer to solve this problem. We will have a Master spreadsheet for the entire project with parts of the spreadsheet as a Bill of Materials one individual sheets relating to the sub-assembly.

I also read that some are having crashing issues when they do what I'm trying to do. I don't have that issue.

Can someone help with my linking updates back and forth?

Thanks very much for any insight.

Bill U

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

When you set up your datalink do you have the Allow writing to source file selected?

If you do and this is still not working, can you attach some sample files for me to try (drawing and xls files)?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.