Excel 2003 - #REF! in Links

[Suzanne-Fusion]

I apologize if this is the second question on the same topic... new to this
forum... I use excel for cash flow and use links frequently... recently,
though, it appears that SOME (not all) links require all the linked files to
be open in order to see the value vs #REF!... I've done nothing differently
than I have in the past... and this is really annoying because there are up
to 12 different files that need to be open simultaneously... this does NOT
happen for EVERY link so something is VERY strange...

help!!!

 

[Dave F]

See response at your other post. This is not "VERY strange"; this is how XL
operates. Best practice is to not link between different files.

Dave

 

[Suzanne-Fusion]

Thanks Dave... I'm quite confused as to how my first post showed up cause I
was sent to my email... anyway... I have using external links for several
years... and they've always provided correct data... (and as I said, other
external links come up without a problem)... if best practice is to not use
it, then it shouldn't be a feature...

It sure would be helpful if my IT guy here knew anything about excel cause I
think if someone like you who knows about excel saw the result, they'd see
what I mean... it' very hard to describe in an email.

 

[Dave F]

So if best practice is not to drive without seatbelts, cars shouldn't work
without seat belts in use?

Your logic doesn't follow.

Just because it's best practice not to do something doesn't mean that
feature shouldn't be available. As I indicated in my other response to you,
if you post a formula that is returning an error, likely someone can provide
an alternative for you.

As for relying on IT people to diagnose any problem you have--that is a
dicey proposition at best.

Dave