Links to Excel cells no longer found

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tammy
  • Start date Start date
T

Tammy

Hello - I am using PPT 2007 and Excel 2007, and have copied a few Excel cells
to my PPT presentation. I used the Paste Special and Paste Link as a
"Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object" options because I need this content
to update in PPT, as the Excel file updates.

When I first performed the copy and paste special, I tested the link by
changing data in Excel - the PPT presentation immediately updated. If I close
the Excel file (saving changes), reopen it, and make changes (I did not close
the PPT file yet)- my PPT presentation does not automatically update, but I
can right-click on the object and update the link. This worked, and the Excel
changes reflected in PPT.

However, once I close PPT (saving changes) and reopen the file, the links
are not found. I get the security warning, choose to update links, and then
receive the warning that some linked files were unavailable and can't be
updated. When I right-click the object and choose Update Link, I get the
warning "The linked file was unavailable and can't be updated."

When I go to Prepare / Edit Links to Files, my Excel worksheet shows as
"unavailable." I choose "Change Source" (the open source button is not
available), reselect my file, the Update column in the Links dialog box
changes to "Automatic" and I close the dialog box. After doing this, I tried
to update the link through the right-click method, but get "The linked file
was unavailable..." message again. Going back to the Links dialog box shows
the link unavailable again.

I have saved the two files in the same folder on a network drive. I cannot
save anything to the hard drive because it's not backed up. No one else has
access to the files except me. I've tried this on two different files with
the same results.

So, it comes down to - what's going on??? It would be a great feature, if it
worked! Is there a process that I'm not following? I'm up for any suggestions!

Thanks!
 
Can you try it on your harddrive just as a test? If it works, at least we
know it's a problem with the network paths.
 
Hi Echo,

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

I tested using the harddrive, and the links do work properly. That's
terrific!

Unfortunately, saving to the harddrive is not an option. Is that bad news
for me?

Thanks, again!

Echo S said:
Can you try it on your harddrive just as a test? If it works, at least we
know it's a problem with the network paths.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Tammy said:
Hello - I am using PPT 2007 and Excel 2007, and have copied a few Excel
cells
to my PPT presentation. I used the Paste Special and Paste Link as a
"Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object" options because I need this
content
to update in PPT, as the Excel file updates.

When I first performed the copy and paste special, I tested the link by
changing data in Excel - the PPT presentation immediately updated. If I
close
the Excel file (saving changes), reopen it, and make changes (I did not
close
the PPT file yet)- my PPT presentation does not automatically update, but
I
can right-click on the object and update the link. This worked, and the
Excel
changes reflected in PPT.

However, once I close PPT (saving changes) and reopen the file, the links
are not found. I get the security warning, choose to update links, and
then
receive the warning that some linked files were unavailable and can't be
updated. When I right-click the object and choose Update Link, I get the
warning "The linked file was unavailable and can't be updated."

When I go to Prepare / Edit Links to Files, my Excel worksheet shows as
"unavailable." I choose "Change Source" (the open source button is not
available), reselect my file, the Update column in the Links dialog box
changes to "Automatic" and I close the dialog box. After doing this, I
tried
to update the link through the right-click method, but get "The linked
file
was unavailable..." message again. Going back to the Links dialog box
shows
the link unavailable again.

I have saved the two files in the same folder on a network drive. I cannot
save anything to the hard drive because it's not backed up. No one else
has
access to the files except me. I've tried this on two different files with
the same results.

So, it comes down to - what's going on??? It would be a great feature, if
it
worked! Is there a process that I'm not following? I'm up for any
suggestions!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I'm trying to remember...I think it's a known issue with links to Excel on
network drives, but I'll have to dig some later this evening. Or maybe
someone else will pop in with the info before I get back!

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Tammy said:
Hi Echo,

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

I tested using the harddrive, and the links do work properly. That's
terrific!

Unfortunately, saving to the harddrive is not an option. Is that bad news
for me?

Thanks, again!

Echo S said:
Can you try it on your harddrive just as a test? If it works, at least we
know it's a problem with the network paths.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Tammy said:
Hello - I am using PPT 2007 and Excel 2007, and have copied a few Excel
cells
to my PPT presentation. I used the Paste Special and Paste Link as a
"Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object" options because I need this
content
to update in PPT, as the Excel file updates.

When I first performed the copy and paste special, I tested the link by
changing data in Excel - the PPT presentation immediately updated. If I
close
the Excel file (saving changes), reopen it, and make changes (I did not
close
the PPT file yet)- my PPT presentation does not automatically update,
but
I
can right-click on the object and update the link. This worked, and the
Excel
changes reflected in PPT.

However, once I close PPT (saving changes) and reopen the file, the
links
are not found. I get the security warning, choose to update links, and
then
receive the warning that some linked files were unavailable and can't
be
updated. When I right-click the object and choose Update Link, I get
the
warning "The linked file was unavailable and can't be updated."

When I go to Prepare / Edit Links to Files, my Excel worksheet shows
as
"unavailable." I choose "Change Source" (the open source button is not
available), reselect my file, the Update column in the Links dialog box
changes to "Automatic" and I close the dialog box. After doing this, I
tried
to update the link through the right-click method, but get "The linked
file
was unavailable..." message again. Going back to the Links dialog box
shows
the link unavailable again.

I have saved the two files in the same folder on a network drive. I
cannot
save anything to the hard drive because it's not backed up. No one else
has
access to the files except me. I've tried this on two different files
with
the same results.

So, it comes down to - what's going on??? It would be a great feature,
if
it
worked! Is there a process that I'm not following? I'm up for any
suggestions!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Truly appreciate it, Echo! Thanks so much!

Echo S said:
I'm trying to remember...I think it's a known issue with links to Excel on
network drives, but I'll have to dig some later this evening. Or maybe
someone else will pop in with the info before I get back!

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Tammy said:
Hi Echo,

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

I tested using the harddrive, and the links do work properly. That's
terrific!

Unfortunately, saving to the harddrive is not an option. Is that bad news
for me?

Thanks, again!

Echo S said:
Can you try it on your harddrive just as a test? If it works, at least we
know it's a problem with the network paths.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Hello - I am using PPT 2007 and Excel 2007, and have copied a few Excel
cells
to my PPT presentation. I used the Paste Special and Paste Link as a
"Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object" options because I need this
content
to update in PPT, as the Excel file updates.

When I first performed the copy and paste special, I tested the link by
changing data in Excel - the PPT presentation immediately updated. If I
close
the Excel file (saving changes), reopen it, and make changes (I did not
close
the PPT file yet)- my PPT presentation does not automatically update,
but
I
can right-click on the object and update the link. This worked, and the
Excel
changes reflected in PPT.

However, once I close PPT (saving changes) and reopen the file, the
links
are not found. I get the security warning, choose to update links, and
then
receive the warning that some linked files were unavailable and can't
be
updated. When I right-click the object and choose Update Link, I get
the
warning "The linked file was unavailable and can't be updated."

When I go to Prepare / Edit Links to Files, my Excel worksheet shows
as
"unavailable." I choose "Change Source" (the open source button is not
available), reselect my file, the Update column in the Links dialog box
changes to "Automatic" and I close the dialog box. After doing this, I
tried
to update the link through the right-click method, but get "The linked
file
was unavailable..." message again. Going back to the Links dialog box
shows
the link unavailable again.

I have saved the two files in the same folder on a network drive. I
cannot
save anything to the hard drive because it's not backed up. No one else
has
access to the files except me. I've tried this on two different files
with
the same results.

So, it comes down to - what's going on??? It would be a great feature,
if
it
worked! Is there a process that I'm not following? I'm up for any
suggestions!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Ah, I see Steve's on the case. What he said. :-)

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Tammy said:
Truly appreciate it, Echo! Thanks so much!

Echo S said:
I'm trying to remember...I think it's a known issue with links to Excel
on
network drives, but I'll have to dig some later this evening. Or maybe
someone else will pop in with the info before I get back!

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Tammy said:
Hi Echo,

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

I tested using the harddrive, and the links do work properly. That's
terrific!

Unfortunately, saving to the harddrive is not an option. Is that bad
news
for me?

Thanks, again!

:

Can you try it on your harddrive just as a test? If it works, at least
we
know it's a problem with the network paths.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx


Hello - I am using PPT 2007 and Excel 2007, and have copied a few
Excel
cells
to my PPT presentation. I used the Paste Special and Paste Link as a
"Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Object" options because I need
this
content
to update in PPT, as the Excel file updates.

When I first performed the copy and paste special, I tested the link
by
changing data in Excel - the PPT presentation immediately updated.
If I
close
the Excel file (saving changes), reopen it, and make changes (I did
not
close
the PPT file yet)- my PPT presentation does not automatically
update,
but
I
can right-click on the object and update the link. This worked, and
the
Excel
changes reflected in PPT.

However, once I close PPT (saving changes) and reopen the file, the
links
are not found. I get the security warning, choose to update links,
and
then
receive the warning that some linked files were unavailable and
can't
be
updated. When I right-click the object and choose Update Link, I get
the
warning "The linked file was unavailable and can't be updated."

When I go to Prepare / Edit Links to Files, my Excel worksheet
shows
as
"unavailable." I choose "Change Source" (the open source button is
not
available), reselect my file, the Update column in the Links dialog
box
changes to "Automatic" and I close the dialog box. After doing this,
I
tried
to update the link through the right-click method, but get "The
linked
file
was unavailable..." message again. Going back to the Links dialog
box
shows
the link unavailable again.

I have saved the two files in the same folder on a network drive. I
cannot
save anything to the hard drive because it's not backed up. No one
else
has
access to the files except me. I've tried this on two different
files
with
the same results.

So, it comes down to - what's going on??? It would be a great
feature,
if
it
worked! Is there a process that I'm not following? I'm up for any
suggestions!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi Steve and Echo,

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions with this problem. I really
appreciate your time.

Thanks for the link, Steve! It's very helpful (and, nice to know I'm not the
only one who had this problem).

Have a great day! :)
 
Steve, is this known bug applicable only to version 2007? I'm linking
PPT to Excel on a network, but using 2003. Any known issues with
that?

Also, are there any limits to the number of links?

Thanks,
Mel
 
Thanks, Steve. Looks like I've got tasks ahead. I'll have at least 100
links to an Excel workbook. I'll have to carefully devise the best
strategy and test a bunch. I saw some other info to resources on
linking, and I'll be sure to check them out. Will your PPT linking
tool be of help in such a case as mine?

Thanks,
Mel
 
The report was very handy, thanks. But as I moved my linked files
(together) to different directories and drives, the OLE links to Excel
retained the original link address from where they were moved. I hate
to think what will happen when moved around my company's network and
when in the hands of common users. <g>

I love PPT and use it a lot. I used to teach it and a few years ago
programmed an advanced PPT solution still being used by a Fortune 500
company globally. Since then I've been knee deep building Excel
solutions, so maybe I'm bias when I say this. With PPT's limits and
dangers in linking, display issues, and limited automation, I'm
feeling less comfortable using PPT for this project. But only because
it involves hundreds of linked data cells to be displayed with clicks
and is very non-linear in it's navigation and display. And I'm sure
they will want more controls as time goes on. <g> With the stronger
VBA resources and objects in Excel, I'm experimenting with housing the
whole presentation program there. So far it's looking doable. This is
a data-driven interactive graphical presentation that luckily does not
require complex animation except appear and disappear, which I can
program in Excel. If it does require more animation, I can always have
Excel link to a one-slide PPS and then back again.

It's funny that considering all the extremely complex PPT solutions
I've built, none of them involved the vast number of external links
this project has, and that's made all the difference. <g> Everything
else might have worked ok, but I can't rely on PPT while having so
many Excel links. Have you ever ran into this?

-Melina

Mel said:
Thanks, Steve. Looks like I've got tasks ahead. I'll have at least 100
links to an Excel workbook. I'll have to carefully devise the best
strategy and test a bunch. I saw some other info to resources on
linking, and I'll be sure to check them out. Will your PPT linking
tool be of help in such a case as mine?
Click to expand...

The free demo will give you a list of links by slide and will also give you some idea
how much link storage is used by your links.

Unless you need to do something special with the links, I don't see any need for the
fully registered/paid-for version.




Thanks,
Mel
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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