XL: Linked References Not Updated in Closed Worksheet

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for Macintosh, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, if you move cells on a source worksheet, the original linked cell values on the dependent worksheet may no longer be referenced.

CAUSE

When you move linked cells in a source worksheet while the dependent worksheet is closed, the references in the dependent worksheet are not adjusted.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, do either of the following:

• Make sure the dependent worksheet is open when you move linked cells on the source worksheet.

      -or-
  

• Use named references when you link cells between worksheets. For example, use the following formula

        =[Book1.xls]Sheet1!Test
  

  where Test is a defined name that refers to cell A1 in Sheet1.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel versions 3.0 and 4.0, if both the source and dependent files are open when you create the links, the links between worksheets are adjusted when you move cells on the source worksheet. This behavior occurs both when the dependent worksheet is open and when it is closed.

However, Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later track cell movement and adjust references to external documents only when the dependent worksheet is open. If the dependent worksheet is closed and you move cells on the source worksheet, the changes are not reflected when you open the dependent worksheet. With the behavior in these later versions of Microsoft Excel, worksheets that contain links take less room on your hard disk and are saved more quickly than linked worksheets in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel.

REFERENCES

"User's Guide," version 5.0, pages 161-170

For more information about creating links between workbooks, click the Search button in Help and type:

    links, workbook, creating