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the excel cell linked to another excel file returns error when I reopen it

Anonymous
2022-01-22T16:03:48+00:00

I have some excel cells linked to another source file. It works fine and all linked when I have both files open. However, if I close both the working excel file and the source file, and then reopen the working file, (some of) the cells that are linked to the source file returns error, unless I open the source file as well.

What i do is update-->continue--> then I get all the #REF! in the cells.

This is annoying because I have a lot of cells linked to different source files. It would be really troublesome to open all the excel files every time I need to see the numbers in the working file.

Anyone knows how to resolve this?? Any help is appreciated!!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. OssieMac 47,981 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-01-23T01:46:25+00:00

    I am assuming that the links are within formulas in the destination workbook. If so, this has been a problem for a very long time.

    The workaround is instead of incorporating the link in a formula, create direct links from the source workbook to a separate worksheet in the destination workbook and then in the formulas reference the linked worksheet which is now in the same workbook. This way, the links to the closed workbook work.

    The linked sheet can be hidden.

    Just some additional information with links. If you want to move or rename workbooks containing links then open all of the workbooks and keep them all open and use "Save As" to either rename or save the workbooks to a new location. Using this method, Excel automatically renames the workbooks in all of the associated links.

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