Referenced Excel xls files not included in Pack and Go

[curtwatson1]

Not sure if this is a bug or just me, but when trying to Pack and Go an assembly file from within Inventor (Build: 227, Release 2018.2.3) my Excel data tables are not being included under "Search for referencing files".  The excel data files (two of them) are referenced within Ilogic code (i.e. GoExcel.Open, GoExcel.FindRow, etc.) and they are saved in my "Workspace" folder along with other referenced .ipt and .dwg files (that do show up in the Pack and Go).  Anyone else experience this or possibly can recommend a solution?  My workaround is to create the Pack and Go as normal then manually copy the missing excel files into it, but doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! This sounds like a bug to me. Could you take a snapshot of the options you use in Pack&Go dialog?

Many thanks!

[curtwatson1]

Snapshot attached:

Thanks!

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! The settings in the dialog look correct to me. The reference Excel file should be included. It looks like a bug to me. Would you be able to provide an example here?

Many thanks!

[curtwatson1]

Here's an example part referencing an excel spreadsheet in iLogic to change the box dimensions based on style (A, B, or C) in a form.  I did the pack and go and the xls file didn't get included, so I copied it into the zip file manually afterwards.  I appreciate your help.  Thanks.

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! I see the behavior now. When you reference a file in an iLogic rule, Inventor does not establish a link between the Inventor file and the reference file (Excel xls). It is because a rule can be an external rule. There is no efficient way Inventor captures that. Pack&Go only look for related files that prevent Inventor from opening a given file.

It is an interesting idea though. Please feel free to post an idea on Inventor Ideas forum.

Many thanks!

[curtwatson1]

Johnson,

I'll do that.  Thank you for all your help!

[curtwatson1]

Just posted the Idea to the Inventor Idea forum.  Link is below:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/include-excel-xls-files-referenced-using-ilogic-code-i...

Thanks!

[curtwatson1 · Accepted solution]

I finally found a solution to including an iLogic code referenced Excel file within a Pack N Go.  You have to add a "Link" to the referenced Excel file under Parameters:

Click "Link" at the bottom and select the xls file name you referenced in the iLogic code.  Make sure you change the Start Cell to an empty cell reference, such as A20 in my example below:

The link will show up in the Model browser as a 3rd Party file.

Now when you Pack and Go the file the referenced Excel file is included in the "Files Found" and you no longer have to remember to manually copy the Excel file with your Pack and Go files afterwards.