When I modify a think-cell label, the label loses its content
Problem
The error occurs when you edit a think-cell label that contains a hyphen/double hyphen or a think-cell label ending with a quote and you insert, e.g., a space or line break. You receive the following error message:
- In PowerPoint 2010 the label text disappears. If the label contains a hyphen, it is replaced by a dash ―.
- In PowerPoint 2013 the label text disappears, only when appending a character to a quote.
Microsoft fixed both problems in PowerPoint 2016.
This problem is caused by a bug in PowerPoint. The bug has been acknowledged by Microsoft. 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 OffBug #72905.
Solution
Deactivate the following AutoCorrect features:
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Open the PowerPoint options: File → Options
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Proofing → AutoCorrect Options … → AutoFormat As You Type → Replace as you type
PowerPoint 2010: uncheck Hyphens (--) with dash (―)
PowerPoint 2010/2013: uncheck "Straight quotes" with “smart quotes”
Explanation
PowerPoint's AutoCorrect feature incorrectly attempts to replace dashes or quotes contained in so-called text fields. think-cell uses such fields to transport data from Excel to PowerPoint. You can reproduce this error without think-cell.
Reproduction without think-cell:
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Alter the regional settings so that the Short date/time format is yyyy--MM--dd or h:mm tt "PM":
Go to Control Panel → Region and Language → Formats → Additional settings:-
Date format:
Date → Date formats → Short date type yyyy--MM--dd (make sure there are 2 hyphens "--")
or -
Time format:
Time → Time formats → AM symbol and type "AM" → PM symbol and type "PM"
Confirm with OK → OK.
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Date format:
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Open the PowerPoint options: File → Options
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Go to Proofing → AutoCorrect Options … → AutoFormat As You Type → Replace as you type and ensure that Hyphens (--) with dash (―) or "Straight quotes" with “smart quotes” is checked
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Click Insert → Text → Header & Footer, select Date and time, Update automatically, and the short date format (e.g., 2011--01--01 or 5:00 "PM") and then click Apply.
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Place the cursor to the right of the date in the footer text box and press space.
The text in the footer text box disappears and the footer text box can no longer be edited or moved.