Trouble Datalinking...

I downloaded an LT demo a couple of months ago and played around with the datalinking. I had no problems with it other than not being familiar with the differences (I was using 2000).

My company finally coughed up LT 2009 for the four of us in my group.

So with the newly installed LT I tried to 'Create a new datalink', wrote in a name and got this:

"Creating, editing, and updating data links are unavailable because the following required application cannot be found: -Microsoft Excel".

This sounds fairly self explanatory but I'm at a loss as to how AutoCad connects to Excel.

Any help would be much appreciated.

DD

Oh...I see someone else is having fun with data linking. What are the steps you are taking to set up your data link?

Here's what I do:

I go to Draw > Table and I select the radio button for From a Data Link. Then I click on the button for Luanch the Data Link Manager on the right end of that line. Then scroll down to Create a New Excel Datalink. Name your data link (this is not a file name necessarily). Then browse to the Excel spreadsheet you want to link and click open. Then click ok and place in the layout page (this is what I do anyway). I have to resize the table because it never looks right.

I hope this helps. I'm using 2008 but I would imagine the path would be pretty close for you.

Dawn

Dawn, thanks for the reply.

Immediately after entering in a name in the 'Create a New Excel Data Link' popup, I get this error message:

"Creating, editing, and updating data links are unavailable because the following required application cannot be found: -Microsoft Excel"

It's like Autocad cannot establish a connection to Excel; doesn't see it or something.

Is there a command or config setting that allows a link with an external database?

Yikes!

DD

Try choosing Tools > Palettes > dbConnect or Ctrl+6 to opne the dbConnect Manager. Then right-click the data source you want to connect.

If there isn't anything listed to connect to you need to set things up.

Let me know if you need instructions on how to set that up because it's kind of long.

Dawn

Dawn,

At Tools\Palettes there is no DBConnect, and CTR+6 does nothing.

I have tried to investigate the DBConnect command but can get no further illucidation as pertaining to LT 2009.

I failed to mention that ours is the 64-bit AutoCad. We run it side-by-side as a 2-D platform for graphics generated with ProE on XP Professional x64.

I am using Excel 2003 (11.8220.8221) SP3.

I cannot seem to get any response from AutoCad support. Do know of a contact that might have a tip for me?

Don't get me wrong, Dawn, I do not discount the help you have given me; I certainly do appreciate it, and I'm thinking you may have the answer right there in the back of your mind.

Thanks so much,

Dan

has the link between AutoCAD and excel be broken in the registry somehow?

I know when we install newer versions of TruView, double clicking a cad file tries to open the older version of TruView (which no longer exists) rather than the newly installed version. You have to un-instal rather than update.

is it possible that something similar has happened when you installed your purchased ACAD on top of your trial version? A reinstal or repair might be you best way out.

Dave, thanks for the reply...

Our AutoCad LT was installed on brand-new T3400 Core2Duo's. Sorry I didn't include that info.

Thanks so much for your help...

Dan