Microsoft KB Archive/930479

Knowledge Base

DDE links are not automatically updated in Excel 2007

Article ID: 930479

Article Last Modified on 10/15/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Office Excel 2007

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SYMPTOMS

When you open a workbook that contains Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) links to a remote source in Microsoft Office Excel 2007, the DDE links are not automatically updated. Additionally, you may receive the following message:

Security Warning Automatic update of links has been disabled.

Note If you click Update Values in the Edit Links dialog box, the links are not automatically updated the next time that you open the workbook.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if one of the following conditions is true:

• The Update links to other documents option is disabled in the Advanced section of the Excel Options dialog box.
• The startup prompt for the workbook is set to Don't display the alert and don't update automatic links.
• The Prompt user about Data Connections or Disable automatic update of workbook links option is enabled in the External Content section of the Trust Center.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods to update the links in the workbook, as appropriate for your situation.

Note You may have to close and then reopen the workbook when you use some of the following methods.

Method 1: Manually update the links

To manually update the links in the workbook, follow these steps:

1. With the workbook open, click the Data tab.
2. In the Connections group, click Edit Links.
3. Click the link that you want to update, and then click Update Values.
4. Click Close to close the Edit Links dialog box.

Method 2: Set the links to update automatically

If you receive the security warning message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, follow these steps:

1. In the security warning message, click Options.
2. Click Enable this content, and then click OK.

Method 3: Change the startup prompt for the workbook

To change the startup prompt for the workbook, follow these steps:

1. With the workbook open, click the Data tab.
2. In the Connections group, click Edit Links.
3. Click Startup Prompt.
4. Click Let users choose to display the alert or not, and then click OK.
5. Click Close to close the Edit Links dialog box.

Method 4: Enable the automatic update for data connections or workbook links in the Trust Center

To enable the automatic update for data connections or workbook links in the External Content section of the Trust Center, follow these steps:

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Excel Options.
2. Click Trust Center.
3. Click Trust Center Settings.
4. Click External Content.
5. Click to select the following options, as appropriate for your situation:
   • Prompt user about Data Connections
   • Prompt user on automatic update for Workbook Links
6. Click OK to close the Trust Center dialog box.
7. Click OK to close the Excel Options dialog box.

Additional query words: excel2007 excel2k7 excel12 xl2007 xl2k7 xl12

Keywords: kbtshoot kbdde kbprb kbxlslink kbexpertisebeginner KB930479

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