Knowledge base KB0163

Charts linked with Excel data link do not update after copying/pasting data

Problem

I have a think-cell chart linked to an Excel workbook and the Excel's calculation mode is set to manual. When I copy and paste data within the Excel workbook into the think-cell frame, the chart is not updated.

Solution

  • Trigger a recalculation with F9 (all open workbooks) or Shift+F9 (current worksheet).
    If your chart is not updated on the first manual recalculation after changing data please refer to the knowledge base article KB0175.
  • If you need to avoid a recalculation in Excel, you can go to a cell within the affected think-cell frame, press F2 and then Enter. This also triggers an update.

Explanation

Excel sends a notification to other programs when data in a cell range has changed. Due to a design limitation, described in Microsoft's knowledge base article KB2768406, Excel does not send a notification when data is copied and pasted within a workbook. If your company has a Microsoft Office Support contract and you want to contact Microsoft to ask for a fix, you may refer to Microsoft case number 112071832712407.

The problem can be reproduced without think-cell.

  1. Open Excel 2010
  2. Set the calculation mode to manual by clicking on FileOptionsFormulas and set Workbook Calculation to Manual.
  3. Enter some numbers into cells A1 and A2.
  4. Select cell range A1:A2 and copy it by pressing Ctrl+C
  5. Start Word 2010
  6. Click HomePastePaste SpecialPaste Link: Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object and press OK
  7. In Excel change the contents of cell A2 by:
    • typing in a different value (e.g., 200) or
    • copying a value (e.g., 200) from notepad or
    • copying cell A1 (Ctrl+C) and pasting it into A2 (Ctrl+V)

Result: The linked embedded worksheet in Word updates in most cases when changing the cell content. Only when you change a cell by copy pasting another cell, the embedded worksheet in Word does not update.

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