Powerpoint does not update Graphs linked with Excel File automatically

Question

Hello!

I have a huge PowerPoint presentation with a lot of graphs linked to an Excel file. When opening the file, PowerPoint asks me whether it should update the graphs:

However, none of the graphs gets updated.

I found this menue where I can update the graphs one by one by clicking 'Jetzt aktualisieren'. If I switch on 'Automatische Aktualisierung' it gets switched off again as soon as I restart the presentation (so none of the graphs get updated).

All files are safed on Sharepoint. I found a user describing a similar problem in this thread: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/powerpoint-doesnt-update-linked-excel-charts/95a93514-e399-49e8-abc4-56fe8dabc5de

Thank you a lot and best wishes

Lukas

Answer 1

Hi Lukas,

Thanks for posting in the community.

According to your description, my understanding is you have two issues. One is when you open the presentation linked with Excel graphs and click the Update Links button, these graphs won’t be updated. Another is the option “Automatic Update” will be unticked when you reopen the presentation.

For the first issue, as you mentioned, you can click File> Info > Edit links to Files, click “Update Now”. Also, you can click “Open Source”. It will automatically open the Excel workbook and update these graphs.

For the second issue, I would like to collect some information.

1. Please make sure you have saved the presentation after ticking the “Automatic Update” option.
2. Does the issue exist in a specific presentation? Please create a new presentation and link the same graphs to test. If the issue still exists, please create a new presentation and link graphs from a newly created workbook to test.
3. Your Office version

Click File> Account, take a screenshot including Subscription Product and About PowerPoint.

If you have any updates, please feel free and come back to share with us.

Regards,

George

Answer 2

Hi George,

thanks for your reply!

For the first issue: Yes, that is possible but as I have multiple presentations and a lot of graphs it would take up a lot of time.

The second issue:

1. I have saved the presentation after clicking the buttom. Since it's saved on SharePoint it also gets saved automatically.
2. When I create a new presentation and link it to the same workbook the issue persists. Also when I create both a new presentation and a new workbook the issue comes up.
3. 

Best regards

Lukas

Answer 3

Hi Lukas,

Thanks for posting back.

For the first issue, it seems the workbook is an online file and stored in SharePoint. Normally, for linking data to another online file, we recommend you use the local files to update links. Based on the situation, you can use the OneDrive client to sync the SharePoint files/folders to local. After that, check again.

For the second issue, normally, the settings “Automatic Update” will be saved in different presentations. Please try to repair Office applications and choose Online Repair. After that, check again.

If the issue still exists, may I know whether your colleagues (use other devices) have the same issue? If not, to troubleshoot whether the issue is caused by the account, please try the following steps to test:

1. Please use your colleague’s device that can’t reproduce the issue, sign in your account to the PowerPoint application.
2. Create a new presentation and link graphs from a newly created workbook to test again.

Regards,

George

Answer 4

Hi George,

thanks again for your help!

Syncing the files did not change anyhting. However, I found out that if I don't save a presentation on sharepoint (so in a folder that's not synchronized) automatic update works like a charm.

On Sharepoint all of my colleagues have the exact same problem (on different accounts and different devices).

For repairing Office I will have to get in touch with our IT department.

Best regards

Lukas

Answer 5

Hi Lukas,

Sorry for my late reply. I assume you mean all your colleagues have the second issue (Automatic update option isn’t ticked) on different devices. If so, please contact your admin and check the Office cloud policy via accessing config.office.com> Customization> Policy Management, check whether the existing policy may cause the situation.

If your admin hasn’t set any related Office cloud policy, I would like to suggest you contact your admin/IT department to create a support ticket via Office 365 Admin Center > Support. That support team there will have the correct channel to help you investigate more and find what exactly reason has caused this issue.

If my understanding conflicts with your meaning, please point it out and let me know.

Regards,

George