XL97: Link to File on Network Is Not Updated Correctly (172065)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q172065

SYMPTOMS

When you open a workbook that is linked to another workbook, and the workbooks are stored on a network drive, links may not be updated with the correct values. Instead, incorrect values may appear in linked cells. In addition, linked formulas may refer to a universal naming convention (UNC) path (for example, \\Server\Share) instead of the mapped drive letter.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you do the following:

  • You create and save two files on a mapped network drive. -and-

  • You open one file on the network drive, and then create a formula that refers to the second file. -and-

  • You close and save both files on the network drive. -and-

  • You open the file with the link formula from the most recently used file list on the File menu and open the second file from the Open dialog box.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install Microsoft Excel 97 Service Release 1 (SR-1). Then, clear the most recently used file list. To clear the most recently used file list, follow these steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
  2. Click to clear the Recently Used File List check box. Click OK.
  3. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
  4. Click the Recently Used File List check box. Click OK.
To work around this problem, open both files from the Open dialog box (click Open on the File menu) instead of the most recently used file list.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel SR-1.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

172475 OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

166467 XL97: MRU Displays UNC Path to File on Mapped Drive

REFERENCES

For more information about mapping network drives in Excel, click the Index tab in Help, type the following text

networks, connections

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Connect to a network drive" topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/22/2000
Keywords:kbbug KB172065
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.