Paste Special --> Linked Text to Design File

Hello, 

I have been trying to paste and link a single column of data from excel to MicroStation V8i. I am able to paste the data and have it linked to the excel file. If I do not close either of the files I am able to make edits in the excel that will populate into my dgn, but if I close the microstation dgn and open it later, the link is gone and the edits I make in excel do not show up in my dgn. 

I have co-workers who are able to use the 'Linked Text to Design File' feature and a DDE link is created. Every time I use the feature a DDE link never appears. 

Thanks, 

Noah