Getting Started

What can I do with Confrix?

Confrix enables intelligent data handling between PowerPoint and Excel, including automated updates. Click here to visit our video onboarding hub explaining everything you need to know to master all of Confrix’s features.

Can I use Confrix on a Mac?

No, currently it is not possible to use Confrix on a Mac.


Features

How reliable is the linking/updating?

Confrix is 100% reliable as it not only stores links, but also recognizes lost connections to source files and warns you before e.g updating data. In this case, you can re-direct to the new place of the source file and Confrix continues to run as usual. Even when the source file cannot be found, Confrix still preserves the last known values to avoid any data loss. Click here to see how you can handle several versions of external data sources with Confrix.

Can I check my presentation for potential linking/updating errors?

Yes, Confrix offers a variety of features for this purpose. On PowerPoint slides, you can see any linking/updating errors when using CX Highlighting - all links with inaccessible source files will appear in yellow and update errors will appear in red. In the CX Library, broken links are also marked yellow to help you navigate to issues quickly. In addition, Confrix always checks for linking errors before executing CX Update, CX Live Sync or CX Tracing, so that you can resolve potential issues immediately.

Does the link hold if I change the structure of the source Excel?

Yes, the link holds even if you add or delete rows and columns or move sheets inside the source file.

Can I unlink data from particular Excel sources?

Yes, you can easily unlink data by using the “Delete source” function in the CX Source Library in PowerPoint. Keep in mind, that this step cannot be undone. We advice you to create a copy of the presentation before unlinking.

What are the colours of linked data indicating?

Confrix highlights the linked data points depending on its link status to easily spot non-linked data that may be outdated. Green indicates a functioning link. Yellow indicates that the underlying source cannot be accessed. Red highlighting indicates that there may be a newer version of the underlying source or that the value has been deleted in the source file.

Why is there a yellow or red notification bubble in the CX Ribbon?

Red notifications indicate that Confrix found a potential newer version of a linked source file. These notifcations require immediate action from you to continue working. A yellow notfication indicates that a underlying source file cannot be accessed. These notifications can be resolved when you want. Click here to see our video tutorial covering CX Smart Notifications.

Can I Paste and Link cells formatted in Excel?

Yes, just copy the respective cell or cell range in Excel and paste to your presentation using the special paste function “Keep source formatting”. Then just keep the table selected in PPT, right-click again and click “Paste and Link” data to establish the data link.

Can I Paste and Link data on a blank slide?

Yes, just copy the respective cell or cell range in Excel, right-click in PPT at the desired location and click Paste and Link data. Confrix will automatically create shapes in a table-like standard formatting. As they are native PowerPoint, you will be able to format them in the usual way.

Does Confrix offer features beyond linking and reviewing between Excel & PowerPoint?

Yes, you can also use Confrix' features to retrieve commonly used data points or to manage your presentation data centrally. For example use “Create internal Data” in the CX Ribbon to create new data points, or import an Excel file to import any named value from Excel into your Data Library. You can then retrieve them by typing "++” to open the on-slide autocomplete table and select the data you want to insert on the slide

Can I update individual sources, as opposed to all sources at once?

We will shortly implement a new feature which will allow you to update individual sources only.


Workflows

What happens if I link more than one Excel file?

Confrix can link and store an unlimited amount of different Excel files and their versions. You can manage all source files and their respective versions via the CX Source Library.

What happens if the linked Excel file is missing or renamed?

Once linked, Confrix keeps the path and the last known values of any source file. In case of broken links or missing files, Confrix still preserves the values for you (no ref-error) on the PowerPoint slides, but is not able to update from the respective source file until you re-establish the link. However, you can still reference the variables with their last known values from the CX Data Library to ensure consistency across the entire presentation.

What happens if a user without Confrix opens a linked file?

Users without Confrix will see all values just like a Confrix user - the only difference is that users without Confrix cannot interact with CX Datafields and will rather recognize them as hard values. Any customized formatting still applies.

What happens if a user without Confrix changes values?

Confrix protects values in so called CX Datafields, which are visible to all PowerPoint users - irrespective of a Confrix license. Users without Confrix cannot alter values inside CX Datafields, but can delete those CX Datafields entirely to replace them with normal text.


Security

Does Confrix require an internet connection?

No, Confrix runs offline to guarantee maximum performance and security.

Is Confrix compliant with typical security guidelines for the consulting business?

Yes, Confrix is a tailored product for the consulting industry, which is why data safety and security are of utmost importance. To ensure both, Confrix is executed without administrator rights on local machines, only mirrors data in PowerPoint without altering the source data in Excel and does not require any communication to services outside your company network.

Does Confrix log any personal data?

No. Our Add-In log-files only track which Confrix features were used, their execution time and date and Confrix-related error-messages to resolve potential issues quickly. As the tool does not communicate to the outside, these files must be proactively shared by the customer.


Compatibility

Does Confrix increase PPT file size or delay performance?

Confrix will not slow down your device or programs or increase file size significantly.

What version of PowerPoint and Excel is Confrix compatible with?

Confrix currently works with Microsoft Office desktop installations of Office 2016 and later, including Microsoft/Office 365. Online browser execution of Microsoft/Office 365, mobile and Mac versions are not supported at the moment.

How is Confrix compatible with file sharing tools e.g. ownCloud?

Smart collaboration is a major focus of Confrix, which is why file sharing tools are generally supported. However, movement of data in folder structures may still lead to broken links, which Confrix recognizes and proactively asks the user to resolve.

Is Confrix compatible with think-cell?

Yes, Confrix does not interfere with your think-cell usage. In fact, both add-ins complement each other to guarantee full data consistency across all PowerPoint objects.

Is Confrix compatible with Efficient Elements?

Yes, Confrix does not hinder Efficient Elements features. However, some Efficient Elements features are designed to delete or replace content, which may impact CX Data links.

Is Confrix compatible with other tools/add-ins?

We are constantly testing Confrix in conjunction with other tools. For details on a specific tool, further information can be requested from the Confrix support team.


Troubleshooting

I cannot find the Confrix Ribbon. What should I do?

The Confrix Ribbon can be found in the Insert tab in PowerPoint. In case it is missing, the Confrix Add-in is most likely not activated. Please follow the instructions below to activate it:

  1. In PowerPoint, click on File → Options, and then click Add-Ins.

  2. In the Manage list, click COM-Add-ins, and then click Go.

  3. In the Available Add-Ins list, select the check box next to Confrix, and then click on Close.

If the Confrix Ribbon does not show up, please try to reinstall Confrix or contact the Confrix support team for further instructions.

How can I disable the Confrix Add-in if any problems occur?

Please follow the instruction below to deactivate the Confrix Add-in:

  1. In PowerPoint, click on File → Options, and then click Add-Ins.

  2. In the Manage list, click COM-Add-ins, and then click Go.

  3. In the Available Add-Ins list, deselect the check box next to Confrix, and then click on Close.

Deactivating the Confrix Add-in will not break data links or delete any data from PowerPoint slides. You will be able to use all Confrix features as soon as the Confrix Add-in is activated again.


Useful tricks to use Confrix

Create a shortcut for CX Features in the PowerPoint Quick Access Toolbar

To save mouse clicks, you may want to add CX features, such as CX Paste and Link or CX Highlighting, to the PowerPoint Quick Access Toolbar.

For this go to the CX Ribbon and right-click on the feature in the ribbon, select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar” and use Alt + 'Number'.

For easier access, the Quick Access Tooblar should be positioned below the Ribbon by clicking on the Dropdown at the end of the Quick Access Bar and select Show below the Ribbon.

Depending on personal preferences, you can move the Quick Access Toolbar-position of the CX Paste and Link feature by changing the order under More Commands.

Example: When the CX Paste and Link feature is on position 1 of the Quick Access Toolbar, the user can now simply press ALT1 on the keyboard to execute CX Paste and Link.

Close Notification Windows before proceeding.

Some critical operations need decisions by the user (e.g. Update Sources). Those Notification Windows block you from working until a decision has been made. In case of multiple open presentations, there are rare cases where a open Notification Window in one presentation may block all presentations.

Close “Save as” dialog before activating Live Sync.

Do not enable Live Sync for files for which the „Save as“ dialog is currently opened (they are not accessible during that time).


Known Limitations

Can I link any kind of Excel file with Confrix?

Confrix currently supports .xlsx and .xlsm files - .xls and .xlsb files cannot be imported and Paste and Link from files with this format is not possible. Confrix cannot handle data from files that have been restored via Automatic Data Recovery as those documents become .xlsb files.

Can I link graphs with Confrix?

We will soon release Confrix’s graph linking feature. Confrix cannot link or update think-cell graphs, but the two tools work well alongside each other. So you can use ThinkCell for graphs and Confrix for everything else.

Can I link any kind of Excel cell?

Confrix cannot link Excel tables, i.e. tables that are created as table objects in Excel. Instead of that, you may use PowerPoint tables or tables consisting of PowerPoint shapes to link Excel data.

It is also not possible to link merged Excel cells.

Are there any issues when using Efficient Elements together with Confrix?

If you use Efficient Elements to merge cells or decompose tables that have been linked with Confrix, the link will be broken. We are working on a fix.