Topic: Updating OLE objects, and not showing the new information

[T.Willey]

Okay, so I got this one drawing from one of our vendors.  Now we need to update the BOM, but it is an OLE object.  I figured out how to open it, and I updated it, and saved.  Now when I'm in Acad it won't show the new line that I just added to it.  I thought maybe it was the print area that defined what was shown in Acad, but that doesn't look like it is it.

The question is, how do I show the updated portion of the OLE object?  It is an Excel spreadsheet.  Thanks.

[ronjonp]

Copy from excel and repaste it. If you want it to automatically update...use paste special under Edit pulldown and select paste link Excel Spreadsheet.

[T.Willey]

Copy from excel and repaste it. If you want it to automatically update...use paste special under Edit pulldown and select paste link Excel Spreadsheet.

Now that was just too easy!  Thanks Ron.

[mjfarrell]

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=2894904&linkID=9240617



or...

Issue


You inserted an Excel OLE sheet. However, after you modified the sheet in Microsoft® Excel by adding columns or lines, the OLE object was not updated, and the additional columns or rows were not displayed in AutoCAD®.

Solution


This behavior indicates that the OLE was not inserted as a linked object. The option to link an OLE is only available if you choose the Create from File option during object insertion. If you insert the object using the Create New option, the object will not be linked.

To insert a linked OLE object

Create the table in Microsoft® Excel and save it as an XLS file.
In AutoCAD®, click Insert menu > OLE Object.
In the Insert Object dialog box, select Create from File and then click Browse to select the file that you created in step 1.
Select the Link check box.
Click OK.
When you insert new columns or rows into the OLE, the OLE will be updated in AutoCAD after you have closed Excel.

Note: In some cases, to make the changes take effect in AutoCAD, it may be necessary to open the file in Excel again by double-clicking it and then closing it immediately.


See also:

Solution


To insert an OLE object in AutoCAD® that will update when the source document is changed, you must use the Paste Special option:

Open the source program, select and copy the entries that you want to use.
Open the destination drawing in AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.
On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
Select the Paste Link option, and then click OK.
The resulting OLE object will update as desired.

[T.Willey]

Thanks Michael.  I think for our needs (and to make it easier on others) we will just embedded it, so that there isn't another file to keep track of.  I think once it's in, then it won't be changed anymore, and if it does, then maybe I will just import it as text.

[ronjonp]

Copy from excel and repaste it. If you want it to automatically update...use paste special under Edit pulldown and select paste link Excel Spreadsheet.

Now that was just too easy!  Thanks Ron.

[craigr]

In our experience Excel & AutoCad don't play well together.

We fought it for quite awhile and finally banished Excel from our drawings.

craigr