External Links in Excel

External links are also known as the external references in Excel. When we use any formula in Excel and refer to any other workbook apart from the workbook with the formula, the new workbook is the external link to the formula. When we give a link or apply a formula from another workbook, it is called an external link.

If our formula reads like the below, it is an external link.

‘C:UsersAdmin_2.Dell-PCDesktop: This is the path to that sheet on the computer.

: This is the "Workbook" name in that path.

Vlookup Sheet: This is the "Worksheet" name in that workbook.

$C$1:$D$25: This is the range in that sheet.

• Links within the same worksheet
• Links from different worksheets but the same workbook
• Links from a different workbook

#1- Links within the Same Worksheet

These types of links are within the same worksheet. In a workbook, there are many sheets. This type of link specifies only the cell name.

For example, if we are in cell B2 and the formula bar reads A1, whatever happens in the A1 cell will reflect in cell B2.

It is just a simple link within the same sheet.

#2 - Links from different worksheets but within the same workbook

These types of links are within the same workbook but from different sheets.

For example, suppose there are two sheets in a workbook, and right now, we are in Sheet1 and giving a link from Sheet2.

#3 - Links from a different workbook

This type of link is called an external link. It means this is altogether from a different workbook itself.

For example, if we give a link from another workbook called "Book1", it will first show the workbook name, sheet name, and cell name.

There are multiple ways we can find external links in the Excel workbook. As soon as we open a worksheet, we will get the below dialog box before we get inside the workbook, indicating that this workbook has external links.

Let us explain the methods to find external links in Excel.

Method #1: Using the Find & Replace Method with Operator Symbol

The link must have included its path or URL to the referring workbook if external links exist. The common in all the links is the operator symbol "using the paste special option.

Note: If the data includes the symbol condition formatting, chart title, shapes, or objects.

• We can find external links by using the VBA code. We must search on the internet to explore this.
• If the external link is given to shapes, we must look for it manually.
• The external formula links will not show the results in the case of SUMIF Formulas in Excel, SUMIFS & COUNTIF formulas. It will show the values only if the sourced file is opened.
• If Excel still shows an external link promptly, we must manually check all the formatting, charts, validation, etc.
• Keeping external links can be helpful in case of auto-updating from the other sheet.