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Excel spreadsheet using DDE to connect to other applications.

Anonymous
2023-06-22T15:09:06+00:00

Hi,

as indicated above, I have an Excel spreadsheet (office 365) which uses DDE to connect to other applications. I am using all applications on my personal computer and not using any VPN etc. It is a windows 11 home version, 64 bits.

This worked fine fine in the morning, but something happened, and when I try to open the sheet I get the warning:

"The Workbook contains links to one or more external sources which could be unsafe...

If you trust update them to get the latest data. Otherwise you can keep working with the data you have"

I press the update option and then I get the below:

"This workbook contains links to external data sources that use DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) that maybe unsafe and have been disabled. See File > Options > Trust Centre for DDE configuration options".

Only options are ok and help and pressing ok, Pressing ok renders the spreadsheet useless (apologies could not attach the warnings for some reason). I think it is some kind of setting in the trust centre which needs to be changed but can't figure out what.

Has anyone experienced something similar, would you be aware of the solution? Any help is appreciated.

Rgds

Elias

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-06-22T17:34:57+00:00

    Hi Elias E

    I am Shakiru, an independent advisor and a user like you, and I am glad to be helping you out today.

    I'm sorry to hear that you'reexperiencing issues with your Excel spreadsheet that uses DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) to connect to other applications.

    The warning message you're seeing indicates that the external data sources using DDE may be unsafe and have been disabled.

    Please do the following: * Open Excel Options: Click on the "File" tab in Excel, then select "Options" from the menu. This will open the Excel Options dialog box.

    * In the Excel Options dialog box, click "Trust Center" in the left-hand sidebar, and then click the "Trust Center Settings" button.

    * In the Trust Center dialog box, select "External Content" from the left-hand sidebar. Here, you'll find various options related to external content.

    * Under the "Security Settings for Data Connections" section, check if the "Enable all Data Connections (not recommended)" option is selected. If not, select it to enable all data connections.

    * In the Trust Center dialog box, select "Trusted Locations" from the left-hand sidebar. Click on the "Add new location" button and add the folder location where your Excel spreadsheet is located. This will designate it as a trusted location and help avoid security warnings.

    * Click "OK" to save the changes made in the Trust Center settings.

    * Close and reopen the Excel file

    Please note that enabling DDE connections may introduce certain security risks. Ensure that you only enable DDE connections for trusted and secure sources.

    Kindly let me know, if you require additional assistance, I will be glad to help further.

    Best Regards, Shakiru

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-28T18:56:29+00:00

    Hi Shakiru,

    I have exactly the same problem and follow your instructions but excel still not getting the data.

    Thanks,

    Mario

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-22T22:35:42+00:00

    Hi Shakiru,

    thanks for getting back and for taking time to reply.

    I have done the above steps but unfortunately the spreadsheet behaves the same way - i.e I don't get any data in excel.

    What I find perplexing is that it was working earlier to day and after a certain point it stopped working - i did have a few sheets open and excel froze at some point but that should not affect the DDE i would think.

    Rgds

    Elias

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