• CaseWare Connector
  • Connector interface
  • Connector options
  • Registry settings
  • Rounding options
  • Connector: Getting started guide
  • Install Connector
  • Connect to Working Papers
  • Convert DDE to UDF
  • Convert third-party links
  • DDE functions
  • Function arguments
  • UDF functions
  • Link paths
  • Select a linkage protocol
  • Create a linkage
  • Recalculate linkages
  • Unlink Connector linkages
  • Link CaseView data to Word or Excel
  • Drill down
  • Document references
  • Page and note number references
  • Tickmark references
  • Common issues in Excel
  • Common issues in Word
  • Error messages
  • Fix broken links
  • Protected documents
  • Re-enable Connector

Convert DDE to UDF

The User Defined Functions (UDF) protocol is the primary method to link Word and Excel documents with a Working Papers database. UDF offers enhanced functionality over its predecessor, the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) protocol. To fully utilize Connector, we recommend converting any existing DDE-based documents to UDF.

For more information on linkage protocols and how they interact with a Working Papers database, see Connect to Working Papers and Select a linkage protocol.

Compare DDE and UDF formulas

Formulas in UDF linkages are simple and intuitive compared to DDE. The following formulas illustrate the differences between each protocol:

• UDF: cw_act("BR","101")
• DDE: cwin32|Data!'CWEval|active|act("BR","101")|'

While both formulas contain the specific Connector function, UDF formulas are composed solely of this function.

Conversion process

The conversion process is irreversible. When a document is converted from DDE to UDF, it cannot be converted back. We recommended you backup the document before attempting the conversion.

Convert DDE to UDF in a document

This procedure converts all DDE-based links in a single document to UDF equivalent links. The conversion is irreversible; ensure you backup your document before proceeding.

To convert DDE to UDF in a document:

1. Open the document you want to convert in Word or Excel.
2. On the ribbon, click the Add-ins tab. In the Connector group, click Tools | Convert | Connector DDE links.

The DDE formulas in the document are automatically converted to the UDF equivalents. A dialog displays indicating the number of DDE formulas found in the document and how many were converted to UDF. Save your document after verifying the changes.

After conversion, ensure that Use Connector User Defined Functions (UDF) is enabled in Tools | Options.

Convert DDE to UDF in multiple documents

This procedure converts all the DDE-based links from multiple documents to UDF equivalent links. Conversion will fail for documents that are read-only, open on another workstation, or contained in a locked down Working Papers file.

To convert DDE to UDF in multiple documents:

1. Open Word or Excel.
2. On the ribbon, click the Add-ins tab. In the Connector group, click Tools | Convert | Connector DDE links in Batch. The Connector Convert dialog displays.
3. Select the folder containing the documents you want to convert. We strongly recommend selecting the Back up Files Before Conversion option as the conversion is irreversible. Click OK.

When the conversion is complete, a prompt to view the Conversion Report displays. The Conversion Report provides a summary of the conversion, including details on any links that could not be converted.

After conversion, ensure that Use Connector User Defined Functions (UDF) is enabled in Tools | Options.