Format of Data linked tables

Is anybody getting nice tables when using a datalink?

I have my table set up to use STANDARD text style (simplex) @ 2,5mm high. The table is constructed using an Ariel font at about 1,7mm hogh.

I have also started letting the table adjust itself for many columns, and despite the "repeat headings" being enabled, I don't get new headings with each new column. Have I missed something or is it broken?

This is on AutoCAD2008 with no service packs installed.

"This is on AutoCAD 2008 with no service packs installed."

Dave: I'm shocked!

Service Pack 1 for 2008 does address two problems with tables. One of them is listed as:

-Data linked cell formatting is now correct.

Thanks Mark.

In general we only update when necessary - obviously today

can you point me to a service pack download? I could only find information for vertical products, not for vanilla

no need, I think I've found it.

Dave: Start with this link...

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240618

I went to the AutoDesk website and searched on "AutoDesk 2008". Within the "found" results I did a second search for "service pack". That's how I got to the above. It's a list of hotfixes and service packs for several versions of AutoCAD and some of its vertical products.

OK, same question but

This is on vanilla 2008 with SP1 installed.

In fact SP1 has made it slightly worse. Before I used properties to increase the text height to 5 so that it displayed at nearer 2,5 and then dragged the height box to get me several columns, only the first with headers. Now I still don't get my headers but my text height reduces in all places except the "unmoved" ones. And its still all in ariel!

actually I ranted a bit soon. I deleted my first table and created a new one and the text height is now correct and setting cell height & spacing now works.

what doesn't work is the automatic column heading and the text style (think I'll purge ariel and try again).

If we have a quiet period between now and April I might give 2009 a go.

Dave- I gave up on datalinks a long while back - crashed too many projects!

Has it worked for you? I may need to try them again....

I'm only using it to get a list of drawings from a spreadsheet so its not high tech. I have had reasonable results (apart from the formatting) doing this and I like the 2 way data transfer. The problem I have here is that people like moving files and renaming drives and..... which of course breaks every link you carefully built. I haven't yet had a crash

My tables tend to be complex (formatting) so I am afraid...

We'll see if it slows down enough for me to try it again. Also, we are going to Civil 3D in a week or so...

Anyone care to give me a quick heads up on data-linking? What functiions do you personally use it for, basically?

THE datalink allows a table to be created and maintained with excel. Before 2008 (maybe before 2006) you only had OLE linking available which was (at least - I found) a pain. Extending the table produced unpredictable results. You only need to do a search here for questions about tables and OLE to realise how many problems it created.

Now, you can create your table in excel and then import it into AutoCAD. You can alter the data in the dwg file and then update the xls file from within AutoCAD or just change the xls file. When that happens AutoCAD pops up a little icon to warn you that the tables are out of sync.

I don't know what Cary uses it for but we typically use it to create a drawings lists or BOMs.

Anyone care to give me a quick heads up on data-linking? What functiions do you personally use it for, basically?

My boss creates calc's for stormwater analysis in excel. I use datalink to create an autocad table in the drawing. The neat feature it has is the ability to update when the excel is updated. It gives a balloon notification that an update has been made.

You only need to do a search here for questions about tables and OLE to realise how many problems it created.

1, 2, 3 - MANY

I see, so the function really is in the name.

What got me interested was thinking that I may be able to data link a table in CAD to an excel spreadsheet, which would contain the x, y, z coords for blocks. When a block is moved in the drawing the table would update. And when a coordinate value in excel is changed...you get the idea.

Actually, I still think it could be useful to link the drawing register to the drawings.

Anyone able to explain that procedure, please?