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?

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53 answers

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.
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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.
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Anonymous

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

Will do!! Thanks
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Anonymous

2022-08-11T21:36:10+00:00

Thank you for letting me know! I was about to lose my mind trying to figure out what the heck changed on my end. Maybe is a bug on Microsoft's end that will somehow be fixed soon. I uninstalled some of the recent updates to match what was on my laptop that somehow still works but that didnt fix it either. I have reinstalled 365 too but that didnt work. I am thinking about wiping computer and reinstalling windows.

Anyways, I will keep you posted on any progress on my end. Please keep me posted on anything you find out.

Thanks again!
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Anonymous

2022-08-11T20:59:21+00:00

David,

We are having the same problem in our office, as well. We're also on Version 2207. So frustrating. We are going to try reinstalling Office 365.

K
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