XL: Text Box Linked to External Workbook May Not Update

• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for the Power Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article, when you open a workbook that contains a text box, the text box may not be updated correctly if it is linked to an external workbook.

CAUSE

This problem may occur when the external workbook to which the text box is linked is not open.

For example, if Book1 contains a text box that is linked to [Book2]Sheet1!$A$1, the text box is not updated correctly if Book2 is not open.

RESOLUTION

Open the external workbook. The text box that is linked to that workbook will be updated correctly. After this occurs, you can close the external workbook.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

When you open a workbook, Excel updates any formulas that refer to external workbooks, even if the external workbooks are not currently open. For example, if a formula in Book1 refers to [Book2]Sheet1!$A$1, when you open Book1, the formula returns the value currently stored in [Book2]Sheet1!$A$1.

However, Excel does not automatically update any text boxes that refer to external workbooks, unless the external workbook is also open.