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Enchanted_Wizard5D11
Enchanted_Wizard5D11
Participant
April 11, 2018
Answered

Is there a way to reference one single Excel cell in another FM file and to update it?

  • April 11, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 1016 views

Hi all,

I'm looking for a solution for the following problem:

I need a smart table that calculates certain values. The result value is supposed to get referenced in several  FM files. When the values in the native smart table get modified the referenced value is supposed to change automatically to the new value.

I tried to insert an Excel table to FM but I have problems referencing one single cell as well as to keep it updated. in specific I managed to reference one cell, but it doesn't look very nice plus the value of the cell always stays the same, no matter how many modification are done in the native Excel table.

I'm interested in a solution for both DITA and unstructured FM. Since in DITA the same problem occurs because I'm not able to reference one single cell with conref. Is there maybe another way to make this working? Also Smart Paste is not working well in this situation.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Kind regards,

Amy

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer

Unstructured FM:

  1. In the Excel table, add a new tab.
  2. Link the result value to A1 in the new tab.
  3. Save the table (only the new tab) as CSV file.
  4. Import the CSV file in FM (as text inset).

Now the result value is updated in FM every time you open the FM file.

 

Is this what you are looking for?

3 replies

A
Anonymous
Correct answer
April 12, 2018

Unstructured FM:

  1. In the Excel table, add a new tab.
  2. Link the result value to A1 in the new tab.
  3. Save the table (only the new tab) as CSV file.
  4. Import the CSV file in FM (as text inset).

Now the result value is updated in FM every time you open the FM file.

 

Is this what you are looking for?

    Enchanted_Wizard5D11
    Enchanted_Wizard5D11Author
    Participant
    April 12, 2018

    Works well. Thanks a million, Lothar!

      S
      Community Manager
      Stefan GentzCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      April 15, 2018

      amelieg6457283, if it works, would you mind marking Lothar's answer as "Helpful" and as "Correct Answer"?

      Thanks :-)

      4everJang
      4everJang
      Legend
      April 11, 2018

      Hello Amy,

      As Stefan has already revealed, I have created scripts that pull data into FrameMaker (and writing it back) in both structured and unstructured documents. I have used CSV files and SQL databases in the past. Making the same method work with Excel should be doable but it will not be trivial. If you are interested in getting a solution created and have a budget for this we can discuss the requirements and possibilities. Contact me via jang at jang dot nl

      Kind regards from Amsterdam

      4everJang

      S
      Community Manager
      Stefan GentzCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      April 11, 2018

      Hi Amy,

      you might want to contact Jang Graat: 4everJang. He had done things like this.

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