KB0163: Charts with Excel data links don't update after I copy and paste data

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Problem

I have a think-cell chart that's linked to an Excel workbook, and Excel's calculation mode is set to manual. When I copy data in the workbook and paste it into the linked Excel range, the chart doesn't update.

Solution

  • Manually recalculate all open workbooks (F9) or the active worksheet (Shift+F9). If you've changed the data and the chart doesn't update upon the first manual recalculation, see KB0175.
  • If you want to update the chart without recalculating your workbook or worksheet, select a cell in the affected linked range, select F2, then select Enter.

Explanation

Excel sends a notification to other programs when data in a cell range has changed. Due to a design limitation in Microsoft, Excel does not send a notification when data is copied and pasted within the same workbook. Microsoft has removed the documentation of this limitation (knowledge base article KB2768406), but you can find the archived documentation here.

If your company has a Microsoft Office Support contract and you want to ask Microsoft for a fix, you can refer to Microsoft case number 112071832712407.

This problem can be reproduced without think-cell. Read more

  1. Deactivate or uninstall think-cell (see Temporarily deactivate think-cell).
  2. Open Excel.
  3. Set the calculation mode to manual: select File > Options > Formulas, then set Workbook Calculation to Manual.
  4. In cells A1 and A2, enter any numbers.
  5. Save the Excel file.
  6. Copy cell range A1:A2 (Ctrl+C).
  7. Open Word, then save the Word file.
  8. Select Home > Paste > Paste Special.
  9. In the Paste Special dialog, select Paste Link, then select Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object. Select OK.
  10. In Excel, change the contents of cell A2 using the following methods:
    • Type in a different value (for example, 200).
    • Copy a value from another app (for example, Notepad) and paste it into cell A2.
    • Copy the value in cell A1 (Ctrl+C) and paste it into A2 (Ctrl+V).

In most cases, the linked worksheet in Word updates when you change the source data in Excel. However, when you paste a value from the same workbook into the source data, the linked worksheet in Word does not update. To update the linked worksheet in this case, in Excel, select F9. You may have to then select the Word window to see the update.