Microsoft KB Archive/96027

{| = Excel: Alternate Formula Entry Changes Named Links =
 * width="100%"|

Last reviewed: September 12, 1996

Article ID: Q96027 The information in this article applies to:
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0, 4.0a

SUMMARY
Microsoft Excel contains several options to create better compatibility with Lotus 1-2-3 worksheets. One of these options, alternate formula entry, affects the creation of external links between Microsoft Excel worksheets using defined names.

MORE INFORMATION
If alternate formula entry is turned on for a source worksheet, links in other sheets that reference defined names on this source worksheet will display the cell references, not the defined names, in formulas. To maintain defined names in external links, you must turn off alternate formula entry for the source worksheet. To do this, choose Calculation from the Options menu, and clear the Alternate Formula Entry check box.

Once you have turned off alternate formula entry on the source worksheet, you will need to reenter all links involving names on the dependent worksheet. Microsoft Excel does not maintain the name information if alternate formula entry was enabled on the source worksheet. This situation is likely to appear when a Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet has been saved as a normal Microsoft Excel worksheet.