problem with linked excel worksheet object in word changing to object and then link not updating

Anonymous

I have used linked excel tables or worksheet object in word documents for years without any issues until yesterday 8/8/22.

Out of nowhere the "Linked Worksheet Object", or the excel table that I linked into word (paste special > paste link > microsoft excel worksheet object), changed to an "object" after the word doc was saved, closed and opened again.

Before yesterday, I could right-click on the linked table, or "Linked Worksheet Object", and select "Update Link" and any changes I made to the table in the linked excel file would appear in the word doc. Now, I right-click on what is now an "object" and select "Update Link" and nothing happens. Strangely, if I right-click on the linked table, select "object", then "Links...", and then "Open Source", the "object" reverts back to a "Linked Worksheet Object" and updates as usual.

But after saving, closing, and opening the word document again the "Linked Worksheet Object" changes back to an "object" again and I have to take the same steps to update a linked table in word after changes made to it in excel.

This is happening in the Word and Excel provided by the Microsoft 365 Personal subscription. I am using a Dell Latitude 3500 and Surface Pro 7 under this subscription but am only having this issue when using the Dell Latitude 3500. I have checked all the Options in Word & Excel and they are the same on both computers. I have also checked the Registry Editor and everything related to Word & Excel looks to be the same on both.

What is going on? Better yet, how do I fix this and get back to normal?

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

53 answers

Anonymous

2022-08-11T21:43:07+00:00

Will do!! Thanks
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2022-08-15T18:44:02+00:00

I am having the same problem. All of my linked graphs have lost their connection to Excel files and show up as Object now. I have many tables and graphs linked to documents (more than 40) and I have had to delete and re-link all of those. But after I close and reopen the links are all busted again. This has screwed my whole day. Updating this weekly report went from a 10 minute job to a 3 hour job. Something must have gotten messed up in the last update from MS. I've been using this file for 7 years with no trouble. Stop pushing updates without better testing! I am on Version 2207 as well.
Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2022-08-15T21:37:35+00:00

I thoroughly agree. An office mate of mine is using an old 2013 version of Word and weirdly, when she opens up a Word report where all of our links are busted in Version 2207, everything looks fine in her version. All links are there and remain in "manual" update mode.

Beyond frustrating.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-08-15T22:05:56+00:00

Here, using a 64-bit installation of Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Version 2207 (Build 15427.20210 Click-to-Run) Current Channel, if I copy a range from Excel and then use Paste>Special>Paste link:>Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object

and then Save and Close the document, when I re-open it, I see the following dialog

and if I click on Yes, any changes made to the data in Excel appear in the document and likewise, while I have the document open, if I make changes in Excel they are immediately reflected in the document.

This is what I see if I right click on the item that was pasted into the Word document (after having closed and re-opened the document.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2022-08-15T22:15:46+00:00

now what happens to that link if you save and close everything and re-open?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments