Linked Excel charts to Powerpoint resize when update and do not include complete graph any more

Question

I paste a large number of Excel charts (linked) into a Powerpoint file to have them updated when source data or format (text, colours,...) change for the chart itself.

Just recently the linked graphs in Powerpoint looses part of the graph-data after update of the linked graph in Powerpoint.

Attached please find what happends with the current graphs when updating (loosing data in pasted graph, it is more significant when having more data in the graph) and then no issue when recreating the same graph.

The recreated graph is smaller (less wide) than the current graph??!! (attached two images of the two vesions)

This seems to have an incidence on the updated version although I can not understand why and also why the graphs have different sizes.

I have recently changed to a new PC but I use the same Windows 10 Pro.

I have a very large number of current Excel graphs link-pasted into Powerpoint as well as into Word and a huge work-load if the recreate the graphs, which seems fully unacceptable of course. I have not checked if the same issue occurs in Word.

Thank you for your assistance

/Jahrl

Answer 1

Thank you Neha for your response.

This issue does not seem find its solution/explanation easily.

I have tested (and had earlier done the same thing but not completely tested):

• I confirm that using "Paste>Keep source formatting & link data" does not distort the graph at update as with "Paste>Paste Special>Paste link>Microsoft Excel Chart Object" in the case where one uses the graph with the copy/pasted size.

Two comments as well:

• "Paste>Paste Special>Paste link>Microsoft Excel Chart Object" needs to be updated, and "update" is available via right-click on the graph (or reopen the file and chose update).
• "Paste>Keep source formatting & link data" does not have an "update" command at right-click on the graph image. It gets updated automatically if the Excel file is open.

There are a couple of important problems :

• [P1] When resizing the pasted graph in PPT/Word with "Paste>Keep source formatting & link data", the text in the graph (title or labels in data-table) does not resize. This makes it nearly impossible to include in a report as I need to resize the graph-image to fit the usage within the report. Here an example of a resized graph with text that does not fit the graph any more...:

• [P2] I have 150 graphs that I use in 4 different reports (at this moment...). Even if there is a solution to [P1] for the text-resizing this would mean to recreate all graphs and re-paste into reports.

Three important questions:

• [Question.A] Please the issue needs a solution and not a get-around-the-problem (and for me there is not one yet). Now as you have been able to reproduce the problem, WHY is the graph "Paste>Paste Special>Paste link>Microsoft Excel Chart Object" for the specific graph (and MANY graphs are like this) getting distorted? I should add once more that I did not have the problem earlier and if an Excel "bug" has been introduced then it would need to get solved.
• [Question.B] Would there be another potential solution and explanation to this issue?
• [Question.C] By the way why does not "Paste>Paste Special (=CTRL+V) include the above Paste special option??

Thank you and kind regards /Jahrl

Answer 2

Dear Neha,

I really do not want to be be negative but I would like to provide the information I have/find and the problem is critical to me.

I would like to add an additional finding (or more a functioning I find strange) concerning your mentioned and suggested special paste "Paste>Keep source formatting & link data":

• In addition to the problem of not resizing homogeneously, as there is no update available for the linked graph, one does not know if the graph is updated automatically.
• It does update if the file is available when the document with the graph is opening, but no info or confirmation whether it is the case. It is just like magic.
• I tested and took away the data file from the PPT/Word document. The PPT/Word opens without any notice that it does not have access to the linked data.
• Then I placed the data file back to the original location with modified data. When opening the PPT/Word it does not update as earlier and it is necessary to open the graph data in order to update, at least when I did it.

So this seems to have some issues and it has no information about the linking so from a user perspective a real issue.

For me I still have the displaced data in the Excel graph and I do not have a solution and it is really a problem for me to deliver professional project work. It is really a CRITICAL issue to me and my company.

I repeat that I did not have this issue earlier so it is linked to a change somewhere.

As you are able to repeat the issue I assume you also consider this as a real product issue and not a setup issue on my side. Why on earth do the new created graphs have a smaller size and the updates of the earlier wider graphs are not backward compatible when updated (i.e. without displaced data)?

Thank you on beforehand for your assistance and possible solution.

Is it possible to talk or talk to someone? My contact info is available in the private message.

Kind regards /Jahrl

Answer 3

Hi Jahrl,

Thanks for the explanation.

I understand, the workaround is not suitable for your requirement. Since you mentioned, you did not have this problem earlier, I suppose it must be working in an earlier version. To check, I tested on several versions, the following are the versions I tested so far, and all had the same issue.

Current Channel Version 2107 (Build 14228.20204)

Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Version 2102 (Build 13801.20808)

Beta Channel Version 2109 (Build 14329.20000)

As this is very critical to your job, I will suggest you contact your tenant admin, so they can contact Microsoft support. We would really like to help, but we don’t have an escalation channel to escalate this request further.  

Once you reach the assisted support for the request, they’ll help you contact the related resources. To create support ticket admin can go to Microsoft 365 Admin center>Support>New service request. You may also refer to Contact support for business products - Admin Help.

Besides, I request you click File>Feedback (or click Help>Feedback on the ribbon) in your Excel app to send feedback directly to Product Team. This will have more impact on the Product Group as the feedback is coming directly from the customer.

Reference: How do I give feedback on Microsoft Office?

Thanks for understanding.

With sincerest regards,

Neha

Answer 4

Hello Neha,

Thank you for your message and for your information to contact MS further.

I am of course sorry that a direct solution does not seem to be available.

Thank you also for testing the earlier builds as that could have been one way through.

I will have to make a consideration how to solve my project issue as we need to deliver. That will be a rather important additional cost and time for us.

I will at the same time follow your suggestion to contact MS for a possible solution or at least understanding why we (as I am not the only one!) see this issue.

I assume you have passed this issue within MS as well.

Despite the temporary negative outcome, thank you very much for your prompt assistance to this level.

Kind regards

/Jahrl