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When a report does not update

Use this short guide to find where a number stopped matching: in the source, during a connection refresh, or when a spreadsheet change has not reached a linked document.

The spreadsheet changed but the report did not

Start with the first layer that does not match. These checks help you describe the issue without changing a live report or assuming what is wrong in your workspace.

Which situation is closest?

Choose one to bring its first safe check forward. Every path is also written out below.

Start with a comparison. Pick the point where the number first stops matching; the detailed checks remain below.

The source is wrong

Confirm that the source rows and period are the ones the report should use. Compare a known total or approved adjustment with the source before changing a connected cell.

  • Record the report period, source file or query, and the value that does not match.
  • Check whether the difference begins in the source rows, mapping, or a documented adjustment.
  • Use the source owner’s correction process; do not type over a connected destination just to make the report look right.

See the source correction in the illustrative demo

The connection will not refresh

Keep the source result separate from the spreadsheet input. A refresh failure can be an access or connection problem even when the source number is correct.

  • Read the refresh message and note the connection, source, and destination it names.
  • Confirm the person running the refresh has the required access to the connected spreadsheet, query or table, and its source data.
  • Ask the workspace administrator or connection owner to review access before retrying the refresh.

Workiva: refresh connection permission checks

See the connection refresh in the illustrative demo

The spreadsheet is right, but the document is wrong

When the spreadsheet and document disagree, check the link path before editing the document. A refreshed connection and a published document link are separate events.

  • Compare the spreadsheet source cell with the table or narrative destination that still looks wrong.
  • Use the document’s link information to identify the source and destination; confirm that you are looking at the intended link.
  • Review the pending change with the report owner before publishing it, especially when the same value appears in several places.

Workiva: inspect link properties

See link publication in the illustrative demo