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: Don't Update Links to Other Programs.
You know that Excel allows you to create links to data in other workbooks. Excel also allows you to link to non-Excel data from other programs, as well. For instance, you could link to pictures or to Word data or to data in any number of other programs. The linking is done via OLE and DDE, as is discussed in other issues of ExcelTips.
Normally, data from other programs is updated whenever you open an workbook, and thereafter whenever the source data changes. If you want to tell Excel to not update linked data from other programs, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Calculation tab of the Options dialog box.
Changing this setting is only effective for the current session in Excel. The next time you open the workbook, Excel reverts to updating links automatically. If you want to turn off specific links so that they are not continually updated, choose Edit | Links, locate the link, and change its update method to Manual.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3039) 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: Don't Update Links to Other Programs.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
If you need to change the same data in a large number of workbooks, the task can be daunting. Here are some ideas (and ...
Discover MoreDoes your macro need to add information to the end of a text file? This is called appending, and is done using the ...
Discover MoreIf you have a problem that crops up when you first start Excel, it can be a bear to track down the cause of the problem. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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: 
Comments