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External Data 'Connection Properties' option does nothing when clicked

Anonymous
2018-05-09T06:56:18+00:00

I am having trouble changing the refresh options of my excel file, as I am not able to display the options. The button is not greyed out, it simply does not open anything when pressed. 

My setup is in a simple testing phase, I have a .mer file that is getting updated by my program, I have linked the fields from this file into excel. Refreshing manually works like it should and updates instantly.

When I go to

Data > Refresh All (arrow) > Connection Properties

And click it, nothing happens. What does happen is that if I try to refresh after clicking it, the program crashes, so I'm guessing there is some sort of hang for the options opening.

I am working on Mac

Thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2018-05-10T14:54:09+00:00

It sounds like you may be using a very early build of Excel 2016. Go to the Excel menu and choose About Excel. Make sure you have version 16.12 or later.

How did you set up the data connection between Excel and the .mer file? What is a .mer file? Do you have an ODBC driver for it?

The data connection and refresh options apply to web query and ODBC connections.

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Anonymous
2018-05-14T10:19:01+00:00

Addendum!

I fixed it using a script instead. I simply recorded the refresh with the macro record, and added that macro to a timer, giving me the desired effect.

Thanks for helping me find the answer!

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-05-14T06:06:53+00:00

    Sorry for the late reply! Wasn't at work for a few days.

    Well I guess you just pointed out the issue - the data connection is simply "from text file", so I'm guessing that's the problem. And the .mer file is not important, as it is the same problem when I use a .csv file. But I guess it's because it's "from text file" I'm importing.

    Is there any way to set up an auto refresh when it's not a web query or ODBC connection?

    I have version 16.12

    Thanks!

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