excel linked in drawing using paste special IE pastspec not updating

[murrcat]

Hello,  For years I have included excel files in my drawings using paste special and selecting link so that the excel in the sheet would automatically update when the native excel is updated.  This is now not working and I cannot figure out why.  When I go to olelinks, everything is set up to automatically update.  This is especially unfortunate when batchplotting, because now I cannot do that with sheets that have excel included, as I have to manually print and make sure the excel is updated.  I would appreciate help, I have not been able to find a solution in my searches.  Thank you.

[pendean]

Is this a sudden new problem in ALL files with ALL Excel sheets across your projects?
Or just one DWG and/or one Excel document?

Did you try this too:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Update-OLE-Links-t...

Confirm your LT version as listed in ABOUT command inside the program please: and confirm your OS too please.

And where you store your files (DWG and EXCEL) for this one project with the issue?

[murrcat]

This is a problem that started all of a sudden with all excel files in all drawings.  When I have all files saved and closed, including excel files, and batchplot the sheets, the sheets with excel files are not updated.  I have not updated to acad lt 2025 yet as I am going to transfer to a new computer, so I assume it is an issue with the older version being used.  It is not going to help me to have to individually update each excel file each time I want to print, so that solution doesn't work for me.

[pendean]

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@murrcat wrote:

...so I assume it is an issue with the older version being used...

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No issues in older versions, no one I know is using 2025 in actual production yet this close to a release date, that's probably not a wise thing to do while you are still trying to work on this issue.

You never answered any of my questions though, try again? They are highlighted here

Also, did you upgrade Excel recently?

[murrcat]

I literally didn't change anything--no settings  or versions in excel no settings in acad lt 2023.....this is something I've done successfully for years/ decades and I've always done it the same way.

acad version:   acad lt 2023.1.2 

excel version 2403 build 17425.20146:    My excel is not a subscription or one drive product.

OS:  windows 10 version 22H2.

[pendean]

Can you share a sample DWG with a sample XLS file with the issue present in them for you so we can see your work?

We might notice something.

[murrcat]

Here are files.   Thanks

[pendean]

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@murrcat wrote:

Here are files.   Thanks

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Thanks for the files: in LT2023.1.5 in Windows10Pro 22H2 using Excel365 Desktop, any edit I make in either one of your XLS sheets show up as soon as I click back into your DWG file

Other than a last update for LT2023 that you do not have, I see nothing wrong with your files.

I Closed all the files without saving, then opened only the XLS files and make the edits, saved and closed them.

I opened LT2023.1.5 and ran PUBLISH from a temp sheetset with only your sheet to replicate this earlier reply from you

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@murrcat wrote:

...When I have all files saved and closed, including excel files, and batchplot the sheets, the sheets with excel files are not updated...

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And there is no issue.

I wonder if your SheetSet is accessing/using a different (or older) DWG file?

Have you restarted your PC yet?

[murrcat]

A further update....I posted this problem just before I replace my computer and brought all software to the latest editions.  I am still having this problem:  when I BATCHPLOT, the files that include pastespec excel files are not updating.  If I open the file and print it individually, it is updating.  Again this is a problem when I BATCHPLOT.  Which negates the purpose of the batchplot.  The problem is the same even though I am now on windows 11, ACAD LT 2025 and the latest excel software.  This appears to me to be a bug, not something that I should spend my time and energy troubleshooting for autodesk.  Thank you.

[pendean]

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@murrcat wrote:

...This appears to me to be a bug...

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No one else is going to do it for you... Here are ways to open a support case with Autodesk if you are on subscription to seek out Autodesk Support's help:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/account/manage/use/support#:~:text=com/plans.-,Contact%20support,-S... 

[cadffm]

Hi,

but it works with the native file format(.xlsx), instead of the outdates .xls, or?

My 365 for business uses another dll/server, so I can't open from Acad and Acad not nor read the content.

(Offtopic: Because of this, embedded OLEs  are risky. You should think carefully about embedded OLE data / without the original Microsoft  as backup)

Your .xls don't update in my AcadLT2025 no matter what I try, also if I open the .dwg and run 'update'

[murrcat]

it is the most up to date excel, ie xlsx.  Batchplot worked fine until about six months ago and then stopped working.  I updated my computer and software to see if that was the problem, and it is not.  Batchplot is still not working with excel.  I will open a case with autodesk to see if that happens to lead to a solution.

[cadffm]

Hi,

>>"it is the most up to date excel"

Yes, but this doesn't meant it working "best of" with AutoCAD / OLE.

>>", ie xlsx. "

??????????

The native format is .xlsx, right. But your OLE and Excel file is a 2003 Worksheed (.xls),

that's why I asked for .xlsx - Test

And another question to the same direction:

Use command OLEOPEN, it fails by the server massage, right or does it open?

>>"Batchplot"

Bedside publish: If it works on your side (open dwg, you can see the updated content), but the publish fails.

Q: Is it by using Publish IN BACKGROUND only, or also in foreground?

[murrcat]

Here is the process that I have used for more than 15 years and always worked up until recently:

Create schedule in excel

copy relevant cells in excel

open acad sheet file

pastespec cells in sheet file and select excel paste link

The information is then updated when all files have been closed and then are re-opened.

When ready to print, I would batchplot and I have batchplot set up to publish in the background, as I always have for over 15 years.

Previously, when I had all files saved and closed, and I batchplotted my files, the sheet files with the paste link excel would print in the updated version.

Starting approximately six months ago, this no longer happens.  I have to open the file individually and print it individually in order for the excel to update, thereby mooting the point of batchplot.  

This appears to be a bug and is not fixed with updating software.  I say this because it simply started not working.  I'm assuming some version of 2024 acad lt broke it and has not been fixed.  I say that because when it started not working, the only thing different was the acad lt update , not anything else.

I have opened a support ticket.

[cadffm]

Hi,

I can not talk about the history, only about here and know.

As I stated above, my issue is much bigger than yours!

Also if I open the DWG, also if I run OLE update command,

I can't get it work, nothing updates(never) on my side, except I use .xlsx files.

And my question is: Is it working with .xlsx files on your side too?

Would like to know this.