link one workbook to another workbook

[morfius007]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

Hello,
I need to create separate category data workbooks and also group all these sheets into one workbook. I don't want to update the text or numbers on these separately. Is there a way I can link the individual category workbooks into the comprehensive large workbook so I only have to edits one time instead of repeating edits in multiple lists? Most of my searches I've come up with seem to involve number formulas or importing a data-base file, but I can't seem to find one on linking to another Excel file.

thanks,
Michael

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

Hello,
I need to create separate category data workbooks and also group all these
sheets into one workbook. I don't want to update the text or numbers on these
separately. Is there a way I can link the individual category workbooks into
the comprehensive large workbook so I only have to edits one time instead of
repeating edits in multiple lists? Most of my searches I've come up with seem
to involve number formulas or importing a data-base file, but I can't seem to
find one on linking to another Excel file.

thanks,
Michael

I'm not sure from your description exactly what you want to do. But with
both workbooks open, in one worksheet, enter an equals "=" in a cell and
then click on the cell in the other workbook. Press enter. Now, the first
cell will get it's value from the second. With the second file closed, the
value will remain fixed. It will update automatically when the second
workbook is opened.

 

[morfius007]

Yeah, that seems to work with a single cell, but the main Excel file needs to link to smaller Excel files. I would like to create a large list of parts in one workbook, and then separate these parts into categories in other workbooks - a separate workbook file for each category. These separate category files would then link to the larger main list of parts, so if we needed to update them, we wouldn't have to update both lists.
Ex: If we needed to add a carburetor to the "engine" category Excel file, it would automatically add this to the larger Excel file of parts. Is this any clearer, . . . muddier . . ?

thanks
Michael

 

[smart2k]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

Hello,
I need to create separate category data workbooks and also group all these
sheets into one workbook. I don't want to update the text or numbers on these
separately. Is there a way I can link the individual category workbooks into
the comprehensive large workbook so I only have to edits one time instead of
repeating edits in multiple lists? Most of my searches I've come up with seem
to involve number formulas or importing a data-base file, but I can't seem to
find one on linking to another Excel file.

thanks,
Michael

I'm not sure from your description exactly what you want to do. But with
both workbooks open, in one worksheet, enter an equals "=" in a cell and
then click on the cell in the other workbook. Press enter. Now, the first
cell will get it's value from the second. With the second file closed, the
value will remain fixed. It will update automatically when the second
workbook is opened.

--
Bob Greenblatt [MVP], Macintosh
bobgreenblattATmsnDOTcom

Hi - I'm tearing my hair out with this - how do you switch between the two workbooks after you've typed the "=" in the first work book???[/QUOTE]

I'm using ctrl+tab, but that has the effect of pressing 'enter' and not putting in the link.

Please help, this should be so easy.

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Yeah, that seems to work with a single cell, but the main Excel file needs to
link to smaller Excel files. I would like to create a large list of parts in
one workbook, and then separate these parts into categories in other workbooks
- a separate workbook file for each category. These separate category files
would then link to the larger main list of parts, so if we needed to update
them, we wouldn't have to update both lists.
Ex: If we needed to add a carburetor to the "engine" category Excel file, it
would automatically add this to the larger Excel file of parts. Is this any
clearer, . . . muddier . . ?

thanks
Michael

You can do that exactly the way I described.

 

[MikeG]

I happen to be looking for the same thing, I put = in the box, and just
clicked on the different tab at the bottom, then on the cell i wanted.

it was very simple to link 6 whole books with 40-50 lines in each into one
master list.

so use your mouse, not your keyboard.