Chart not auto-updating after chart data is updated in VBA

menahem · #1 01-24-2025, 02:15 AM

I have a VBA subroutine running in an Excel spreadsheet, that copies a table of values from that spreadsheet to the data table of a chart in a PPTX slide. The PPTX presentation is open and visible. The script uses

Code:

Set chartShapeChart = chartShape.Chart
Set chartDataWorkbook = chartShapeChart.ChartData.Workbook
chartShapeChart.ChartData.Activate

to open the chart data editor. It then copies the data across, and then uses

Code:

chartShapeChart.Refresh
chartDataWorkbook.Close False

to refresh the chart and close the chart data editor, respectively.

However for some reason the chart does not update/refresh as it's supposed to. After the VBA script completes, I need to manually open the data editor in order for the chart to refresh the graphical elements. Note that the data copy is correct, and opening the data editor manually and then closing it without any further edits to the data is all that's needed to refresh the chart.

Is this a known issue with PPTX charts, or am I missing something? Any pointers would be appreciated.

checklist_animations · #2 03-21-2025, 07:00 AM

Do you need the chart to update on your slide when its being presented or just when editing?

menahem · #3 03-24-2025, 03:58 AM

I would like it to update the chart as the script runs. I found out that updating the chart data table WITHOUT activating it first seems to work, although for some reason it's slower.

checklist_animations · #4 03-24-2025, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by menahem

I would like it to update the chart as the script runs. I found out that updating the chart data table WITHOUT activating it first seems to work, although for some reason it's slower.

Yeah that makes sense. If you are in editing mode in PowerPoint the refresh objects works differently then when you are in presentation mode. If you are in editing mode it should work no problem. Presentation mode though, you may need to call GoToSlide in your VBA right after updating the chart to get it to "refresh"

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