Make pattern table editing fully compatible with Excel

[gwalker]

Editing Creo Pattern Tables in Excel should be as easy as editing Creo Family Tables in Excel.

There is a config option "part_table_editor=excel" that can make editing a pattern table easier than Pro/Table (the default editor) or a text editor like notepad.  However, this config option simply sends the default .PTB file to Excel.  Now when you try to save any changes to the .PTB file, Excel will offer you several options to save this file in another location or another format (.XLSX) instead of just saving back to the .PTB file in your working directory.  If you have successfully chosen the correct option to save the file (see examples below), you next have to close Excel.  Excel will prompt you AGAIN to save the file (even though you just did)!

If Creo would simply start the process of editing the pattern table by using a .XLS file, Excel would have no concerns about what format to save to.  Note that pressing the “Edit in Excel” button in a Family Table does exactly that (opens a .XLS file).

See below for examples.

How editing a pattern table works today (in PTC Creo Parametric 4.0 F000 and Excel 2016)

1. Set the config option as shown.
2. Create a table driven pattern and edit the table (Excel should open).
3. Make a change to the table and press Save in Excel.  I have circled the correct choice.
4. Close Excel.  A second prompt to save appears.  I have circled the correct choice.
5. Now you can return to Creo and complete the pattern feature.

If you failed to select the correct options above you will end up making changes that don't save, or create extra Excel files on your hard drive that you don't need.

How saving a pattern table should work! (Using the current Family Table function as an example)  This is the proposed product idea.

1. Set a config option (new or existing) or provide a button to edit in Excel like in the Family Table editor.
2. Create a table driven pattern and edit the table in Excel.  Note the file format underlined.
3. Make a change to the table and press Save in Excel.  The file is saved with no confusing prompt.
4. Close Excel.  Excel closes with no confusing prompt.
5. Complete the pattern feature.

I frequently get users complaining that they have wasted a significant period of time attempting to save changes to the file in the right format and location to keep the changes.

[gtwalker]

Several users have tried the workaround described (selecting Yes and Don't Save) in Creo Parametric 4.0 M060 with Excel 2013 and it does not work - the changes are not saved.

[ChanceHolland]

Has anyone figured out a solution to this problem? I have also tried the procedure above and the changes will not save. Thanks

[gtwalker]

I think the only "fix" to the problem with Excel if the workaround above still doesn't work is to change the config option part_table_editor to either the default editor (Pro/Table) or Notepad.

[StevenB1]

The condition under which I have seen the above steps not work is if the user already has excel open when Creo calls for Excel.  If Excel is not open when Creo calls, the above steps allow the edits to save back to Creo.