Control when links are updated

The control of how linked information is updated in Microsoft Excel is dependent on the type of link used.

Links to other workbooks

The workbook that contains the links is called the destination workbook, and the workbook that is linked to is called the source workbook. When both the source workbook and the destination workbook are open, links are updated automatically. When you open a destination workbook, and the source workbook is not open, you are asked whether to update the links using a startup prompt. You can control whether or not the prompt appears, and whether or not to update all links when the prompt does not appear. You can also update only some of the links, if the workbook contains more than one.

Update all links or no links in a workbook

1. Close all workbooks. If one source workbook is left open, and others are closed, the updates will not be uniform.
2. Open the workbook that contains the links.
3. To update the links, click Update.

   To not update the links, click Don't Update.

   For help deciding which button to click, click Help.

Update only some of the links to other workbooks

1. Close all workbooks.
2. Open the workbook that contains the links.
3. When asked whether to update links, click Don't Update.
4. On the Edit menu, click Links.
5. In the Source list, click the linked object you want to update.

   To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object.

   To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

6. Click Update Values.

Control the startup prompt for updating all links

Links to other programs

These options are for links to other programs that use OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) or DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange).

Links to other programs can be set to be updated automatically (when you open the destination file or any time the source file changes while the destination file is open) or manually (you specifically request the update). By default, new links are set to automatic updating. Set a link to update manually when you want to see the previous data before updating to the new data.

Set a link to another program to be updated manually

1. On the Edit menu, click Links.

   The Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain linked information.

2. In the Source list, click the linked object you want to update. An A in the Update column means the link is automatic, and a M in the Update column means the link is set to Manual update.

   • To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object.

   • To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

3. To update a linked object only when you click Update Values, click Manual.

Set a link to another program to be updated automatically

1. On the Edit menu, click Links.

   The Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain linked information.

2. In the Source list, click the linked object you want to update. An A in the Update column means the link is automatic, and a M in the Update column means the link is set to Manual update.

   • To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object.

   • To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

3. To update a linked object every time you open the file that contains the object or any time the original information changes while the file is open, click Automatic.
4. Click OK.
5. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Calculation tab.
6. Make sure the Update remote references check box is selected.

Ignore automatic updates for links to other programs

1. Switch to the worksheet that contains the links.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. On the Calculation tab, clear the Update remote references check box.

   Note   Clearing the check box overrides the Automatic option (for all links) in the Links dialog box (Edit menu), but does not change the option to Manual.

Update a link to another program now

This procedure updates a linked object at any time regardless of whether automatic or manual updating is turned on.

1. On the Edit menu, click Links.

   The Links command is unavailable if your file does not contain linked information.

2. In the Source list, click the linked object you want to update.

   • To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked object.

   • To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.

3. Click Update Values.

Don't ask whether to update links when I open any workbook, and update links automatically

This option is for the current user only, and affects every workbook opened. Other users of the workbook are not affected. This option also affects links to other workbooks.

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Edit tab.
2. Clear the Ask to update automatic links check box. If the box is cleared, the links are automatically updated, and no prompt is displayed.