Microsoft KB Archive/123262

= External Link in WK4 File Displays #REF! Error Value =

Article ID: 123262

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q123262



SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you open a Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file that contains a link to another file, you receive one of the following error messages:

Microsoft Excel 97
The workbook you opened contains automatic links to information in another workbook. Do you want to update this workbook with changes made to the other workbook?

When you click Yes, the cells are updated with the values. However, when you click No, the cells on the worksheet that contain a link to another file display the #REF! error value.

Microsoft Excel 7.0
This document contains links. Re-establish links?

When you click Yes, the cells are updated with the values. However, when you click No, the cells on the worksheet that contain a link to another file display the #REF! error value.

Microsoft Excel 5.0
This document contains links. You can re-establish them with the Edit Links command.

When you click OK, the cells on the worksheet that contain a link to another file display the #REF! error value.



CAUSE
This behavior occurs when you open a Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file that contains a link to another file, such as another Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file.



WORKAROUND
To update an external link in a Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file in Microsoft Excel, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Microsoft Excel, open the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file.
 * 2) Click OK in the dialog box that indicates that the document contains links.
 * 3) On the Edit menu, click Links.
 * 4) In the Links dialog box, select the link that you want to update.
 * 5) Click Update Now.

NOTE: If you want to open the source document, click Open. This also updates the external link.

To avoid this behavior, save the file in the Microsoft Excel workbook format.



MORE INFORMATION
To open a Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file in Microsoft Excel 5.0, obtain the Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file converter. The Lotus 1-2-3 .wk4 file converter is available in the "Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter" (WE1130 ) Application Note. Lotus 1-2-3 is manufactured by Lotus Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

