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.
- Open Excel 2010
- Set the calculation mode to manual by clicking on File > Options > Formulas and set Workbook Calculation to Manual.
- Enter some numbers into cells A1 and A2.
- Select cell range A1:A2 and copy it by pressing Ctrl+C
- Start Word 2010
- Click Home > Paste > Paste Special > Paste Link: Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object and press OK
- 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.