Xcell spreadsheets automatically show links that were link free

Excel is likely detecting either:

1. Automatic hyperlinks (e.g., web/ email addresses typed in cells), or
2. External links (references to other workbooks) that were created unintentionally in formulas, names, objects, or charts.

Use these steps depending on what is being seen.

1. If text is turning into clickable hyperlinks automatically

This is automatic formatting.

To remove or stop it for a specific entry (Windows):

1. After Excel turns the text into a hyperlink, move the mouse over the formatted text.
2. Click the small AutoCorrect Options button that appears.
3. Choose Undo Hyperlink to remove it for that cell.
4. Choose Stop Automatically Creating Hyperlinks if hyperlinks should not be created automatically in that workbook.

This prevents Excel from auto-formatting similar entries as links.

2. If formulas are linking to other files (external links)

These are workbook links, not just formatting.

To inspect and fix or remove them:

1. Open the workbook.
2. Go to the Data tab and select Edit Links.
   • If Edit Links is unavailable, Excel has not detected external links.
3. In the Source file list, select the external link(s).
4. To fix a broken link (file moved):
   • Click Change Source, browse to the correct file, select it, then click Change Source and Close.
5. To remove links but keep current values:
   • Use the option to break the links (see the guidance in the external-links article) so formulas are converted to values.

If the Document Inspector reports “External links found” and cannot remove them:

1. Close Document Inspector.
2. Manually locate and delete or break the external links (cells, names, objects, chart titles, chart series) as above.
3. Run Document Inspector again to confirm they are gone.

3. If links appear when opening a workbook (update links prompt)

When a workbook has formulas referring to other workbooks, Excel prompts to update links.

To control this behavior:

1. Go to File > Options > Advanced > General.
2. Clear Ask to update automatic links if the prompt should not appear.

This does not remove links but stops the repeated prompt.

4. If the issue is just unwanted hyperlink formatting

If the problem is only that text looks like links (blue/underlined) and not actual external references, treat it as automatic formatting and use the AutoCorrect Options method above to undo or stop automatic hyperlink creation.

References:

• Undo automatic formatting in Excel
• Fix broken links to data
• How to avoid broken formulas in Excel
• External links found