Hyperlinks update when moving source file between SharePoint locations

Question

Hello all,

I have an excel reference file which contains many hyperlinks to other excel files containing supplier prices.

The reference file is stored in a SharePoint location.

Once a month we have to copy a version of this reference file to another SharePoint folder so administrators can upload to EMS. A problem occurs when copying the reference file to the new SharePoint location in that all of the hyperlinks update the file path to reflect the new source location thus becoming redundant and no longer opening to supplier price files which are stored in the original SharePoint location.

Can anyone advise what I am missing here please? Can I 'fix' the hyperlinks so they do not change file path?

This is an example of a working hyperlink in the original location which works:

This is an example of the change in the hyperlink file path once the source reference file has been transferred between SharePoint locations:

You will note the differences. As a result the hyperlinks open to a blank 'this site cannot be reached' or another failure message depending if you open the reference file in browser or desktop app mode.

I am not sure if it helps with the diagnosis but in the hyperlink formatting box, in the source reference file, the hyperlinks destination path is stored as:

I think this means the ../../../ reverts to the new source location once the reference file is copied across. Thus the destination files cannot be found.

What can I do to maintain the hyperlinks please? Our SharePoint support team do not know what to do so we are stuck.

Any input gratefully received.

Thank you

Answer 1

Thank you Neha. I appreciate the response.

Answer 2

Hi Stuart,\

Based on your post, I tested on my end and encountered the same behavior. After moving the workbook, I am afraid there’s no setting/option to fix the broken hyperlink except for manually inserting the links again. Other than this, the only option I see here is to move the workbook back to the original location which will make the hyperlink work again.

I understand your requirement and I know it is hard to work when things do not go as expected. I tried finding but I don’t see any logical explanation for this behavior that why would the hyperlinks change when the source file is still in the same location. In this scenario, we will suggest you please contact your tenant admin, so they can contact Microsoft support. We would really like to help, but we don’t have an escalation channel to escalate this request.

Once you reach the assisted support for the request, they’ll help you find the root cause, they can even involve related resources, if required.  To create support ticket admin can go to Microsoft 365 Admin center>Support>New service request. You may also refer to Contact support for business products - Admin Help.

Thanks for understanding.

With sincerest regards,

Neha