Expert: Bill DeShawn - 6/2/2009

Question
Bill,

I'm trying to link a Word file that consists of a multi-page table into AutoCAD 2006. Only about 80% of the first page will link, the rest of the file disappears. I tried it in AutoCAD 2008 with the same result.  I also tried to Copy/Paste Special and got the same result. I could Copy/Paste Special each of the three pages of the document, but only about 80% of each page came into the AutoCAD file. Is there a setting in AutoCAD that limits the size of the linked object? I've had the same issue with Excel files. I remember that there used to be a limitation in older versions of AutoCAD that only third-party software could overcome - is that still the case?  (If I need third-part software, is there one you could recommend?)

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Til

Answer
Til:

I am also unable to display multiple pages of an OLE Word Document in ACAD 2006.  In 2006 and above, AutoCAD can create a table object.  Command: TABLE.  It isn't as nice as working with EXCEL, but you can do formulae or fields or anything you can WORD.  Sorry, you can't cut and paste the contents of the EXCEL or word file into the table.  But once created, it's a cool tool.

Another thing you can do is to NOT link the files, but keep them handy in case you need to redo this next step.  Highlight and copy one page of the WORD document at a time onto the clipboard and paste into AutoCAD.  This should work.  You can put yourself a little non-plotting note next to the table telling yourself or other users how you did it.

Let me know how it goes.

Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn