AreaAnnotator9.dgn
The attached DGN file has a single model. The model contains four shape elements. Each shape is annotated using text fields. Some text fields show Item Type property values; others show element properties such as area and perimeter.
The two green shapes are annotated each with a text node that contains several text fields including area, alternative area and perimeter. If you use MicroStation's modify element tool to change a green shape element you can see that all the element property text fields update themselves to show the shape's new metrics. That's the behaviour I expect.
The two brown shapes are annotated each with a cell that contains plain text elements and also several text fields including area and perimeter. If you use MicroStation's modify element tool to change a brown shape element you can see that the element property text fields do not all update themselves to show the shape's new metrics. That's not the behaviour I expect. I'm puzzled!
Note: This problem seems to be a bug in MicroStation CONNECT, as mentioned by Paul Connelly below. If I open the same DGN file with MicroStation V8i, the text fields in the cell update as expected.