Format problem with .net for datalinking Excel to AutoCad table

[Anonymous]

I am able to interactively create a table in AutoCad by defining a datalink to an Excel file. The table is creates with the varying row heights and varying column widths set up in Excel.

I have attempted to do the same using vb.net based on code examples from 'Through the Interface'.The Excel formatting is ignored and the resulting table width is very narrow and table height is huge.

Is there an option that I may have overlooked that forces the Excel formatting? I have set the table style to use Excel formatting without success.

Any help greatly appreciated

[Anonymous]

It will work if we use UpdateOption.UpdateColumnWidth and UpdateOption.UpdateRowWidth on update datalink. The code from "Through the Interface" (http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2007/08/creating-an-aut.html) can be rewritten as:

[CommandMethod("TFS")]
public static void TableFromSpreadsheet()
{
    // Hardcoding the string
    // Could also select for it
    const string dlName = "Import table from Excel demo";

    Document doc = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument;
    Database db = doc.Database;
    Editor ed = doc.Editor;

    OpenFileDialog ofd =
        new OpenFileDialog(
            "Select Excel spreadsheet to link",
            null,
            "xls; xlsx",
            "ExcelFileToLink",
            OpenFileDialog.OpenFileDialogFlags.DoNotTransferRemoteFiles
            );

    DialogResult dr = ofd.ShowDialog();

    if (dr != System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult.OK)
        return;

    ed.WriteMessage("\nFile selected was \"{0}\".", ofd.Filename);

    PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nEnter table insertion point: ");
    if (ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK)
        return;

    // Remove the Data Link, if it exists already
    DataLinkManager dlm = db.DataLinkManager;

    ObjectId dlId = dlm.GetDataLink(dlName);

    if (dlId != ObjectId.Null)
    {
        dlm.RemoveDataLink(dlId);
    }

    // Create and add the Data Link
    DataLink dl = new DataLink
        {
            DataAdapterId = "AcExcel",
            Name = dlName,
            Description = "Excel fun with Through the Interface",
            ConnectionString = ofd.Filename,
            DataLinkOption = DataLinkOption.PersistCache
        };
    dl.UpdateOption |= (int)UpdateOption.AllowSourceUpdate;

    dlId = dlm.AddDataLink(dl);
    Transaction tr = doc.TransactionManager.StartTransaction();
    using (tr)
    {
        tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(dl, true);
        BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);

        Table tb = new Table { TableStyle = db.Tablestyle, Position = ppr.Value };
        tb.SetDataLink(0, 0, dlId, true);
        tb.UpdateDataLink(UpdateDirection.SourceToData, UpdateOption.UpdateColumnWidth | UpdateOption.UpdateRowHeight);
        tb.GenerateLayout();

        BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
        btr.AppendEntity(tb);
        tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(tb, true);
        tr.Commit();
    }

    // Force a regen to display the table
    ed.Regen();
}

-Khoa

[Hallex]

In Excel you may want to use:

// Acad 2010 //

oTable.SetColumnWidth(width);

oTable.SetRowHeight(height);

~'J'~

[Anonymous]

Many thanks - that really did solve the problem.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input - That works OK for uniform row height and column width.

[Anonymous]

You are welcome. I am happy that it works for you as it works on my side.

-Khoa