How to break an external link that won't break

Anonymous
2012-01-11T18:42:31+00:00

I have studied all the Excel help available and followed the advice, but I have encountered an external link in an Excel 2010 workbook that simply will not break. No matter how many times I select "Break Link," this zombie is always there. I have tried deleting range names that came from the source file, to no avail. I "break the link" in the destination file, save, close the file, reopen it -- and the link is still there. I have tried adjusting the options every which way, no luck.

How do I absolutely, positively, completely and forever, send this link to Davy Jones's locker?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2012-12-04T08:40:04+00:00

Dear Long_John_Silver

I had a similar issue and in addition to Raju S Das' recommendation, I have also checked the data validations for various fields; this is where I found some zombie links that were not required anymore.

Maybe you can find some in your file too and remove them:

  • Select the cells where you expect the zombie data validation (I could narrow it down to one section on a specific worksheet)
  • In the Data Tools section of the Data ribbon, select Data Validation from the Data Validation dropdown
  • Check if there is any list validation with a reference to a linked file location.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Roger

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-21T23:24:44+00:00

    Hi Long_John_Silver,

    OK, thanks.

    Jan,

    I have sent you a file via separate email. Good luck with it!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-05T07:54:34+00:00

    Hi Long_John_Silver,

    OK, thanks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-04T14:58:28+00:00

    With apology for delay, I only just saw your request, Jan. The subject file has long disappeared off my mental radar screen. However, if I should encounter this particularly nasty bug again, I will try to set aside for you a sanitized copy of it for a bit of autopsy.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-12T17:37:03+00:00

    I'd be interested to see the file with the link in place. Can you email me a stripped down copy (you can remove sensitive information of course) that still has the link? My email address can be found at the bottom of each page of my site. www.jkp-ads.com

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