OLE in AutoCAD LT snaps to new length and height when excel is saved.

[a.stephensYU5M7]

In an attempt to reduce data link times, I am being directed to replace most datalinks with OLE tables. I understand that OLEs are not an ideal solution.

I am unable to solve a problem with the OLEs snapping to new heights and lengths when excel is saved with both excel and autocad open. The problem occurs inconsistently across multiple PCs with AutoCAD LT 2024 and even inconsistently on the same machine. But consistent enough that it is a significant problem with workflow.

The OLEs are imported using the PASTESPEC command to link to excel.

Workflow to reproduce looks like this.
1. Open the linked excel file.

2. Launch AutoCAD.
3. Edit some values in excel that are associated with the linked OLE tables.

4. Save Excel with Autocad still open.

At this point some or all or none of the OLE tables snap to new, random lengths and heights in the autocad dwg which destroys the formatting of the entire paperspace of the dwg. 

The cells changed in excel does not affect which tables snap.

Changing a cell in excel that affects OLE Table 1 could also change OLE Tables 2, 8, 9 etc. With no discernable pattern or shared cell references.
The OLEs have isolated rows and widths within excel, I have verified that changing the data in excel is not changing row heights or column widths.

The data being edited in excel could be more or less or the same amount of characters, font size, font type, etc. with no discernable pattern.

Re-adding the OLEs via PASTESPEC does not solve the issue.

OLEQUALITY is set to MONOCHROME.

OLERESET sometimes reverts the snapped OLEs back to the original position. Sometimes it does not.

The OLE snapping does not occur when autocad is closed when excel is edited.

Snapping occurs in AutoCAD full and AutoCAD LT

Work flow looks like this for a workaround.

1. Open the linked excel file.

2. Launch AutoCAD.

3. Identify changes that need to be made on the OLE linked tables.

4. Close AutoCAD

5 .Edit values in excel that are associated with the linked OLE tables.

6. Save Excel.

7. Reopen AutoCAD to see data changes on OLE tables.

While the workaround exists, there is already so much workflow disruption with OLEs and AutoCAD instability, such as crashes. Attempting to open AutoCAD without excel also open leads to instability.

Is there a solution available for this issue?

AutoCAD 2024

AutoCAD LT 2024

i7-12700H
16.0 GB RAM

64-bit Windows 11 Pro

[TerryDotson]

The problem occurs inconsistently across multiple PCs ...

First, this is the (full) AutoCAD forum, not the one for AutoCAD LT.

Check the Windows scaling parameters (100%, 200% etc) on the machines, chances are it varies.  Excel will honor the scaling values and generate results that vary in size depending on the machines setting.

Lastly, I would use a crayon before I would use OLE.