Why did Microsoft change the "Edit Links" to "Workbook Links" in the Queries and Connections tab?

In Excel go to File -> Options -> Customize Ribbon ->

under "Customize the Ribbon" right side of pane, expand the Data group. Add new Group to Data. (it may add to Home tab, in which case, drag it down to Data section if that's where you want it to appear). From left side "Choose commands from:", change to "All Commands". Add "Edit Links" to group created on the right side "Customize the Ribbon".

My biggest thing about the pane relative to the old Dialog is I am a keyboard shortcut user & more & more MS is moving away from being able to do things without the use of the mouse/touch-pad. For long-time users who've developed the use of keyboard shortcuts, these constant changes greatly affect efficiency.

Hi James,

• "The old Edit Links dialog is still in the product - you can add it back to the Ribbon if desired."

                 ***Thank you for letting me know the Edit Links dialog is still available – I’ve added to the ribbon and my life is much better now!*** 😊
  

• "We now have a Find feature to show you where the links exist in your workbook (a long running ask)"

           ***This is great – I had an add-in that worked exactly the same way which I won’t need anymore.***
  

• "We no longer have confusing choices that don't apply to Workbook Links or a confusing "status" check flow (we just show you the state)"

            ***The “check status” in the Edit Links wasn’t confusing to me.  I use it to see if a linked workbook is open (if mine) or to see if the source is not reachable because it's someone else’s workbook that they may have moved out of the original location.***
  

• "Can you tell us more details about what's missing/confusing/wrong with the Pane relative to the old Dialog? "

            ***The pane in “Workbook links” does not appear to allow for multi-select of multiple sources that you want to take action on.  I see the option to “Break all”, but not the ability to choose just the links you want to break.  Unless I'm not seeing the option , it looks like you have to choose each source separately to specify the action you want to take.***
  

  Same for “Open workbook”- looks like the pane makes you choose each source separately.  The “Edit Links” allow multi-select here for opening all sources at once. Thank you for your speedy response to my post - I really appreciate your help!

Hi all,

You are seeing the new Workbook Links task pane which is rolling out to production now.

The old Edit Links dialog is still in the product - you can add it back to the Ribbon if desired.

We will also link to the old dialog if the workbook contains non-Workbook links, e.g. OLEDB links.

Two issues I see:

1. Always Enabled Button.
   Good point about this killing the quick ability to see if the book has links or not.

We matched the Web task pane design, but are listening to feedback.

2. Pane vs. Dialog Ease of User

The task pane is supposed to be easier and better for Workbook Links.

e.g.

We now have a Find feature to show you where the links exist in your workbook (a long running ask)

We no longer have confusing choices that don't apply to Workbook Links or a confusing "status" check flow (we just show you the state)

Can you tell us more details about what's missing/confusing/wrong with the Pane relative to the old Dialog?

Change it back to the way it was. You guys must test this stuff on idiots. You think you're being helpful but you're ruining the product for people who know what they're doing. Not everything has to have an "easy" button. We're not all 10 year olds on our Ipads.