Microsoft KB Archive/288851

= How to turn off the message for updating links in a workbook in Excel =

PSS ID Number: 288851

Article Last Modified on 9/9/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel 2002
 * Microsoft Office Excel 2003

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This article was previously published under Q288851



IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * ** Automatic Update and No Message
 * Manual Update and No Message
 * REFERENCES



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes how to control the startup message about updating linked workbooks in Microsoft Excel.

When you open a workbook that contains links to cells in other workbooks, you may receive the following message:

This workbook contains links to other data sources. If you update the links, Excel attempts to retrieve the latest data. If you don't update, Excel uses the previous information.

You can click either Update or Don't Update.

Excel displays this message by default, but you can control whether or not it appears, and whether Excel updates the links manually or automatically. To make these changes, use the following methods.

NOTE: Regardless of which options that you choose, Excel still displays a message if the workbook contains invalid or broken links.

Additionally, the following options apply only when the workbook that contains the basic data is closed. If the workbook with the basic data is already open when you open the workbook that contains the links, the links are updated.

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Automatic Update and No Message
To suppress the message and automatically refresh links when you open a workbook, follow these steps:
 * 1) On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Edit tab.
 * 2) Click to clear the Ask to update automatic links check box.

When the Ask to update automatic links check box is cleared, the links are automatically updated and no message is displayed.

NOTE: This option applies to the current user only and affects every workbook that the current user opens. Other users of the same workbooks are not affected. This option also affects links to other programs.

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Manual Update and No Message
To suppress the message and leave the links unrefreshed until the user chooses to update them, follow these steps:
 * 1) On Edit menu, click Links.
 * 2) Click Startup Prompt.
 * 3) Click the Don't display the alert and don't update automatic links option.

WARNING: If you choose not to update the links and not to receive the message, users of the workbook will not know that the data is out of date. This choice affects all users of the workbook, but it applies only to that particular workbook.

To update the links manually, follow these steps:
 * 1) On Edit menu, click Links.
 * 2) Click Update values.

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