PPT97: Group Object Containing Excel Object Changes Size When Excel Object Is Opened Via OleFormat.DoVerb

ID: Q235862

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If you create an object group that contains an Excel chart object and another object in a PowerPoint 97 presentation and you run a macro that uses the DoVerb method to open the Excel chart object, the size of the group object in PowerPoint changes.


RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date      Time    Version      Size      File name     Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   06/17/99  08:13p  8.0.1.6617  5,636,096  excel.exe     x86
   06/10/99  12:53a  8.0.0.6609  3,538,944  powerpnt.exe  x86
   05/18/99  05:30p  8.2.0.6514     65,536  scanload.dll  x86
   05/18/99  04:56p  N/A            65,536  596.reg       x86

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION

Registry Change Required

A new entry must be made in the Windows Registry to activate the hotfix. You can make this change by using the file 596.reg. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Save file 596.reg to a folder on the hard disk of the computer on which you are installing the hotfix.


  2. Double-click the file name. You will receive a message indicating the Registry has been updated.


Steps to Reproduce

  1. Start PowerPoint and open a blank presentation.


  2. On the Insert menu, point to Object, and click Excel Chart.


  3. Draw a text box next to the chart.


    1. If the Drawing tool bar is not visible, on the View menu, point to Toolbars, and click Drawing.


    2. Click the Text Box icon on the Drawing toolbar, then draw the text box on the slide.


  4. Select both objects, right-click, and Select Grouping - Group.


  5. Start the Visual Basic Editor (Alt+F11). On the Insert menu, click Module, and type this code:


    6. 
Sub OpenGroup
' Open embedded Excel chart in Excel
ActivePresentation.Slides(1).Shapes(1).GroupItems(1).OLEFormat.DoVerb 2
End Sub
  6. Switch to PowerPoint, and run the macro OpenGroup (Alt+F8, select macro, click Run).


  7. In Excel select the Sheet tab, then switch to PowerPoint if it is not visible.

    Result: The group in PowerPoint changes size.


Important Notes

  1. If you insert an object, choose Create from the File menu, and select an Excel workbook in which a chartsheet is the active sheet. The Excel object will not resize when you activate it with Open mode. You invoke Open mode by right-clicking on the Excel object and selecting Open [Worksheeet/Chart] Object.


  2. If you insert an object, choose Create from the File menu, and select an Excel workbook in which a worksheet is the active sheet, the chartsheet will be rendered the size of the PowerPoint slide if you toggle between the worksheet and a chartsheet while in open mode. This also occurs when you copy and paste to embed an object. This behavior is consistent with behavior observed with Excel 97 SR-2 and PowerPoint 97 SR-2.


  3. If you insert an object, choose Create from File, select an Excel workbook in which a worksheet is the active sheet, and the cell range is such that the maximum size limits for a Windows metafile are exceeded, the metafile will not show the entire worksheet. This is a WMF limit and cannot be changed.


Additional query words: xl97 ppt97 oleformat doverb resize object activate 


Keywords          : kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: July 12, 1999