Creating a NetDDE Link in Excel on NT

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SUMMARY

Because of changes in the Clip Book format and OLE, Clipbook can no longer be used to create Network DDE Links between Excel Worksheets. This article provides step by step instructions for creating Network DDE Links for Excel using the Network DDE Share Manager.

MORE INFORMATION

A Network DDE Link consists of two parts; the DDE server application and the DDE client application. The DDE server application contains the data to be shared. The DDE client requests the data from the DDE server, thus creating a DDE Link. Network DDE requires the server application to make the data accessible on the network. The server Application creates a Network DDE share, available over the network, which the client application can connect to.

In Windows NT 3.1, Clipbook could be used to create the Network DDE share. In version Windows NT 3.5, because of changes to the ClipBook and OLE, the ClipBook can no longer be used to create Network DDE Links for Excel worksheets.

To create a Network DDE link under Windows NT 3.5:

1. Use DDE Share Manager (%SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\DDESHARE.EXE) to create a share on the DDE server:

   a. Select Add a Share in the SHARES.DDESHARES menu.

   b. Enter a share name. The share must end with a dollar sign ($),

         for example SalesData$.
   

         NOTE: This share is not a directory. You cannot see it in File
         Manager.
   

   c. Under Application Name, enter the following:

         Old Style:  Excel
         New Style:  Excel.Sheet.5
         Static:
   

         NOTE: Leave Static blank.
   

   d. Under Topic Name, enter the following:

         Old Style:  [SALES.XLS]Sheet1   - This is the File Name and the
                                           Worksheet name
         New Style:  SALES.XLS           - This is the File Name
         Static:
   
         NOTE: Leave Static blank.
   
      e. Select Allow Start Application.
   
      f. Choose Permissions and then set permissions for the share the same
         way you would set permissions on files using File Manager.
   
      g. Choose OK.
   
      h. Select the share you just created and choose Trust Share.
   
      i. Choose Set and then choose OK.
   
   

2. Launch Excel on the server and create or open a workbook named "SALES.XLS," with a sheet named "Sheet1." It does not matter what directory SALES.XLS is saved to. Enter something into cell A1 (it does not matter what you enter).

3. Create a link to the share that you just created.

   This example uses the share name SalesData$ and the DDE server machine \\MARLEY. The workbook name is SALES.XLS and the data to be linked is in SHEET1, column 1, row 1.

   a. At the DDE client machine, run Excel.

   b. Enter the following command into the first cell:

            ='\\MARLEY\NDDE$'|'SalesData$.OLE'!'Sheet1!R1C1'
   
      NOTE: You may be prompted for a password. If so, enter a valid user
      account and password which exists in the DDE server's domain or a
      trusted domain.
   
   

4. The linked data should appear in the cell when you press enter. If the cell shows "N/A", choose Links from the Edit menu. The link should be listed as follows:

         Source File:  SalesData$.OLE
         Item:         Sheet1!R1C1
         Type:         \\MARLEY\NDDE$
         Status:       Automatic
   
      To update the link, select "Update Now". The link should activate and
      the data should be linked to the client workbook.