Fix broken links to data

If your workbook contains a link to data in a workbook or other file that was moved to another location, you can fix the link by updating the path of that source file. If you can't find or don't have access to the document that you originally linked to, you can prevent Excel from trying to update the link by turning off automatic updates or removing the link.

Do any of the following:

2016 2011

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Important: linked object are not the same as hyperlinks. The following procedure will not fix broken hyperlinks. To learn more about hyperlinks, see Create or edit a hyperlink.

Fix a broken link

Caution: This action can't be undone. You might want to save a backup copy of the workbook before you begin this procedure.

1. Open the workbook that contains the broken link.

2. On the Data tab, click Edit Links.

   The Edit Links command is unavailable if your workbook doesn't contain links.

3. In the Source file box, select the broken link that you want to fix.

   Note: To fix multiple links, hold down , and then click each link.

4. Click Change Source.

5. Browse to the location of the file containing the linked data.

6. Select the new source file, and then click Change Source.

7. Click Close.

Remove a broken link

When you break a link, all formulas that refer to the source file are converted to their current value. For example, if the formula =SUM([Budget.xls]Annual!C10:C25) results in 45, the formula would be converted to 45 after the link is broken.

1. Open the workbook that contains the broken link.

2. On the Data tab, click Edit Links.

   The Edit Links command is unavailable if your workbook doesn't contain links.

3. In the Source file box, select the broken link that you want to delete.

   Note: To remove multiple links, hold down , and then click each link.

4. Click Break Link.

5. Click Close.

Important: linked object are not the same as hyperlinks. The following procedure will not fix broken hyperlinks. To learn more about hyperlinks, see Create, edit, or remove a hyperlink

Fix a broken link

Caution: This action can't be undone. You might want to save a backup copy of the workbook before you begin this procedure.

1. Open the workbook that contains the broken link.

2. On the Edit menu, click Links.

   The Links command is unavailable if your workbook does not contain links.

3. In the Source file box, click the broken link that you want to fix.

   Note: To fix multiple links, hold down , and then click each link.

4. Click Change Source.

5. Do one of the following:

   To	Do this
   Fix a broken link to a sheet in another workbook	In the Open dialog box, locate the workbook, and then click Change.
   Fix a broken link to a workbook or other Office document	Type the new name or location for the document in the Change links to text box, and then click OK.

Turn off automatic updates for linked data

1. Open the workbook that contains the broken link.

2. On the Edit menu, click Links.

   The Links command is unavailable if your workbook does not contain links.

3. In the Source file box, click the broken link that you want to fix.

   Note: To fix multiple links, hold down , and then click each link.

4. Click Manual.

Remove a broken link

When you break a link, all formulas that reference the source file are converted to their current value. For example, if the formula =SUM([Budget.xls]Annual!C10:C25) results in 45, the formula would be converted to 45 after the link is broken.

1. Open the workbook that contains the broken link.

2. On the Edit menu, click Links.

   The Links command is unavailable if your workbook does not contain links.

3. In the Source file box, click the broken link that you want to remove.

   Note: To remove multiple links, hold down and click each link.

4. Click Break Link.

See also

Import data from a CSV, HTML, or text file