Setting Hyperlink Base Path Causes Unexpected Error

Question

I have an Excel spreadsheet in which I have many hyperlinks to PDF  files on a network drive.

I have been using this for years, and it serves me well, however, I had always found it tedious when creating the hyperlinks, to have to navigate from the default path to the folder where the PDF files are located .

Recently I learned of setting the hyperlink base in the File Info tab.

I had high hopes that this would simplify things, however, 2 things happened when I tried it: First, it did not actually change the default path when creating the hyperlinks, and second, it broke the function of all of the existing hyperlinks in the spread sheet; clicking a hyperlink yields the message "An Unexpected Error Has Occurred"

If I clear the entry from the hyperlink base on the info tab, the hyperlinks in the spreadsheet will again function normally.

Any ideas on this?

Using Microsoft Office Pro Plus Subscription Version 16.0.6965.2105

Win7 Enterprise SP1

Answer 1

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your updates.

You can’t create such a shortcut to the target folder and make it as a current folder to show the files for your selection.

You can only define a hyperlink base to be pointed to the target folder and then type the files’ names to create hyperlinks.

Alternatively, you can also pull the dropdown list in Look in to navigate to the target folders manually and then select the files in them to create hyperlinks.

Given the situation, I suggest you submit your feedback in our Excel UserVoice as it is the direct way for product developers to know users’ requirements.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 2

Cliff,

In the graphic you have above, the "Insert Hyperlink" dialog box opens  with defaults set to - Link to Existing  File or Web  Page, and Look In: Current Folder.

This is showing an Explorer window of the Current Folder where the active Workbook resides; which pretty well  makes sense, but is there a way to change that, so that it will open the Explorer window on a folder of  my choosing?

That is what I need. I want to select the file to link to from a folder list. I do not try to type the file name, as they are often arcane sorts of file names.

It is the requirement of having to navigate from the current folder to the target folder that I'm trying to circumvent.

Thinking about the situation, I  just realized that I can create a shortcut in the Current folder, to link me directly to the target folder, which will simplify the process greatly if there should be no way to do what I want.

Thanks,

Phil

Answer 3

Hi Phil,

What do you mean about “What I really need is a way to set the default ‘Look In’ path for creating new hyperlinks, without forcing all of the existing hyperlinks in the spread sheet to also be directed to that folder.”? Could you give me some examples about your requirement?

From your description, it seems that you want to create a multiple-path hyperlink base. When you type the names of the files which are in the multiple shared folders, the hyperlink base can automatically scout the files’ paths and the corresponding hyperlinks will be created to be pointed to the files in the correct shared folders. If yes, it is not feasible to do that. You need to create the hyperlinks manually by typing the full paths to be pointed to files which are in the multiple shared folders.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 4

Thanks Cliff,

You have given me some insight into what's going on here.

You are correct in assuming that I am creating the hyperlink with the full path to the shared folder on the network.

Unfortunately, this is the way I need to do it, because the hyperlinks do not all  point to the same folder (it changes year to year).

I did  try creating the hyperlink using just the file name within the specified hyperlink base path, and that does work.

The take-away for me, is that I really don't think I can make use of setting the hyperlink base, and with this new understanding,  I realize that I have actually asked the wrong question.

What I really need is a way to set the default "Look In" path for creating new hyperlinks, without forcing all of the existing hyperlinks in the spread sheet to also be directed to that folder.

Is there a way to do this?

Answer 5

Hi Phil,

It seems that you first share the pdf files in a folder to a shared network folder and map the shared network folder to a network drive, and then you add the hyperlinks to the network drive file paths.

To simplify the process, you want to create a hyperlink base and then you can only type the file name when creating a new hyperlink.

If yes, to clarify the issue, I’d like you to confirm and provide the following.

1. About the issues you have encountered, could you provide us with some screenshots related their symptoms?
2. About what you have tried and how do you add the hyperlink base, could you list some detailed steps?

Given the situation, please make sure that you have done the following.

a. Create the hyperlink base via File>Info>Properties>Advanced Properties>Summary>Hyperlink base.

b. If you want to define the network drive path, you may type the drive name such as Z:\ and then click OK.

c. When you add a new hyperlink, you just need to type the file name not the full file path.

 

For your reference: Set the base address for the hyperlinks in a workbook

If you don’t try this, I suggest you do a test in a new workbook to check the outcome.

Thanks,

Cliff