Microsoft KB Archive/44319

Definition of Simple and Complex Links in Excel PSS ID Number: Q44319 Article last modified on 02-26-1993 PSS database name: W_eXceL

2.x 3.00

WINDOWS

Summary:

The following information discusses the differences between simple and complex links in Excel.

In previous versions of Excel the supporting worksheet could be closed if using a simple link but would return a #REF! in the cell if a complex link was used. These older versions were not able to link to closed worksheets. However, Excel 3.00 can link to closed documents so a supporting worksheet can be closed whether using a simple link or a complex link.

Simple links are as follows:


 * 1) An absolute reference to a cell
 * 2) An absolute reference to a cell range
 * 3) A named absolute cell range in the supporting worksheet

Complex links are as follows:


 * 1) Any type of relative or mixed reference
 * 2) A link in a formula or calculation
 * 3) A defined name that uses a formula
 * 4) Anything that is not a simple link

More Information:

For further information on linking, see the “Microsoft Excel User’s Guide,” pages 307-324 for Excel 3.0 or the “Microsoft Excel Reference Guide,” pages 465-480 in Excel 2.1.

Simple Linking Examples
=Sheet1.xls!$A$1

=SHEET1.XLS!$A$1:$ B$10

=SHEET1.XLS!Name (where Name is an absolute cell reference =$A$1)

Complex Linking Examples
=SHEET1.XLS!A1 or =SHEET1.XLS!$A1

=SUM(SHEET1.XLS!$A$1:$ B$10) or

=SHEET1.XLS!A$1+SHEET1.XLS!B$1

=SHEET.XLS!Name (where Name is =$B$1+$ C$2 or =B1)

=c:1.xls!a1

=‘C:1.xls’!a1

Anything that is not a simple link is a complex link.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.