Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Using Drag-and-Drop to Create a Hyperlink.
Excel includes a very powerful feature which allows you to use drag-and-drop editing techniques to create a hyperlink. In order to take advantage of this feature, follow these steps:
There is a caveat to understand about these steps: The drag-and-drop approach will work only if you are working with two instances of Excel open at the same time. If, in step 1, you simply display two workbooks by using Arrange from the Window menu, drag-and-drop won't work. Instead, you need to open one workbook in Excel and then open Excel a second time with the second workbook. Then the steps will work just fine.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2335) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Using Drag-and-Drop to Create a Hyperlink.
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2021-03-27 12:43:04
Roy
Yikes.
First try, it killed the second instance and spreadsheet (a longtime, existing spreadsheet), then autorecovered it. No drag and drop with or without a hyperlink. Had some screen effects, then all looked the same as pre-attempt, except the detail of the file showing it was autorecovered.
Second try, it killed the first instance and spreadsheet, flat gone without even a chance to save it or an autorecover (this one was an unsaved, new spreadsheet). The whole instance of Excel was just gone in a flash. Didn't harm the second instance's file though, which was nice as it was a much used file!
So, DOESN'T seem to work anymore, AT ALL.
2016-02-20 17:04:00
MWilson
I use the hyperlink feature frequently between excel to excel and excel to word files.
However I find that using the standard copy and paste special approach in all cases is far more consistent and manageable.
2016-02-20 09:05:08
Ryan
I could not get this to work. How do you get both instances of Excel visible on the screen at the same time?
Also, when I hovered my mouse over the selected are I just had the plus sign, not an arrow.
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: 
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