Microsoft KB Archive/127128

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XL5: Linked Cell in Formatted Row Returns Value 0

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0

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SYMPTOMS
In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, when you link to a cell on a worksheet, if the linked cell is located in a row on the source worksheet, and the row contains a cell with individually formatted characters, the linked cell returns the value 0 (zero) when the source worksheet is closed.

CAUSE
In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you can apply formatting to individual characters within a cell. For example, in a cell that contains the text "This is a test", you can apply bold formatting to the words "is a test" while the word "Test" remains formatted as non-bold.

However, if you apply formatting to individual characters within a cell, as in the above example, when you link to any cell that is located in the same row as this formatted cell, the linked cell returns the value zero if you update the link while the source worksheet is closed.

WORKAROUNDS
To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1
Do not update the link in the dependent document unless the source worksheet is open.

Method 2
Move the linked cell to a row that does not contain a cell with individually formatted characters.

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0, Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, and Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.