Update Automatic Links

[Jim Fleming]

I have documents with graphics that have been inserted using
Insert>Image>From File>Insert and Link. When any of the external image files
changes, the links are not automatically updated when I open the document,
despite having set Update Automatic Links at Open. To have those updated
files included in my document I must print the doc to a file or a printer.

By trial and error I found that the "Update Automatic Links at Open" option
only applies to files that are Linked, not to files that are Inserted and
Linked. Why is this?? I take this to be a bug in Word.

Is there any way (macro, or some such) of having my images automatically
updated when I open the document ??

Jim Fleming

 

[macropod]

Hi Jim,

You should be able to force an update via Ctrl-A (to
select the whole document), then Ctrl-F9 (to update all
fields). Print Preview may have the same effect too.

Alternatively, if you really want a macro solution, try:

Sub RefreshFields()
Dim oSection As Section
Dim shp as Shape
Dim oHeadFoot As HeaderFooter
ActiveDocument.Fields.Update
For Each oSection In ActiveDocument.Sections
For Each oHeadFoot In oSection.Footers
If Not oHeadFoot.LinkToPrevious Then _
oHeadFoot.Range.Fields.Update
Next
For Each oHeadFoot In oSection.Headers
If Not oHeadFoot.LinkToPrevious Then _
oHeadFoot.Range.Fields.Update
Next
Next 'oSection
For Each shp In doc.Shapes
With shp.TextFrame
If .HasText Then
.TextRange.Fields.Update
End If
End With
Next
End Sub
NB: _ indicates a line continuation

Cheers

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi Jim,

By trial and error I found that the "Update Automatic Links at Open" option
only applies to files that are Linked, not to files that are Inserted and
Linked. Why is this?

If you press Alt+F9 you'll see the field codes. Assuming the linked graphics
and files are in-line with the text, you'll see that Word uses different
field codes for the three types of linked things: IncludePicture, IncludeText
and Link. IncludePicture brings in graphics files using Word's graphics
filters. IncludeText works with text conversion filters (doc, html, rtf and
txt). Link fields insert files as OLE objects. While all these things are
links, Word is not set up to update them all in the same way. Generally,
"update links on open" applies most strictly to the LINK fields. Also, things
that are in-line with the text will tend to update more reliably than those
with text wrap formatting applied.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Sep 30 2003)
http://www.mvps.org/word

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[Jim Fleming]

But do you not think, Cindy, that calling Insert and Link just that confuses
things? If it says Link it must obey the command to Update Automatic Links
on Open. To not do so is confusing, and at best an oversight on the part of
some developer, if not directly a bug. If link in this context is not the
same as Link when Link is on its own, then choose another word -- or provide
uniformity and consistency across your user interface.

Regards,
Jim Fleming

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi Jim,

But do you not think, Cindy, that calling Insert and Link just that confuses
things? If it says Link it must obey the command to Update Automatic Links
on Open. To not do so is confusing, and at best an oversight on the part of
some developer, if not directly a bug. If link in this context is not the
same as Link when Link is on its own, then choose another word -- or provide
uniformity and consistency across your user interface.

Using the same term for functionality that differs in some respects could
certainly be confusing. None the less, LINK does mean a link to an outside
file, which is provided in all cases. Much worse, IMO, is the use of "Outlook
Express" for the mail program that's part of Internet Explorer. It has
absolutely NO relationship to Outlook, and confuses millions of people. If I
had a choice of one "name" that could be changed in Microsoft's palette, that
would be the one I'd choose...

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Sep 30 2003)
http://www.mvps.org/word

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[Jim Fleming]

But the problem persists -- how can I update my graphics automatically every
time I open a document. Could a macro be used? What code ???

Getting Microsoft to be more consistent in terminology or user interface
could be a harder battle. My problem is quite a bit smaller -- automatic
updating of graphics that are Inserted and Linked.

Anyone got any ideas as to how to do it ???


Jim Fleming.

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi Jim,

how can I update my graphics automatically every
time I open a document. Could a macro be used? What code ???

Yes, a macro would be a possibility. "Macropod" posted one to
your original question a couple of days ago.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Sep
30 2003)
http://www.mvps.org/word

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow
question or reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail