Edit Links in Excel is not Working – 3 Solutions

In the sample dataset, data was entered using external links in formulas, but errors are displayed.

Solution 1 – Using the Edit Links Feature to Find and Edit Links that are Not Working 

Step 1:

Go to the Data tab > Select Edit Links (in Queries & Connections).

Step 2:

In the Edit Links window, click Check Status.

Step 3:

The link status is displayed as Source not found.

• Click Change Source.

Step 4:

• Select the source file for each link and click OK.

OK is displayed as status in the Edit Links dialog box .

Step 5:

• Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for other links and click Close.

• Go back to the worksheet: all broken links work.

If you place the cursor on any of the links, you’ll see the link path:

Method 2 – Using the Find and Replace Feature 

Step 1:

• Go to the Home tab > Click Find & Select > Select Replace.

Step 2:

• In the Find and Replace dialog box, enter .xl in Find What.
• Click Find All.

All xlsx files used as links display a #REF error. There are Underscores (_) in the names of the worksheets: New_York, Los_Angeles, which is not possible.

• Cross-check the formula used for the links and you’ll see the Underscore: the formula returns errors.

Step 3:

• Follow Step 1 to use the Find and Replace feature. In the Find and Replace dialog box, enter Underscore (_) in Find What >> Keep Replace With  Blank >> Click Find All.

Step 4:

• Click Replace All.

Step 5:

Excel opens the device directory.

• Choose the updated source file.
• Click OK.

Step 6:

• In the confirmation window, click OK.

Links are working.

Read More: 7 Solutions for Greyed Out Edit Links or Change Source Option in Excel

Method 3 – Ensuring an External Cause is Not causing the Problem

Step 1:

• Go to the File tab.

Step 2:

• Select Options.

Step 3:

• In the Excel Options dialog box, select Advanced > Click Web Options (in General).

Step 4:

• In the Web Options dialog box, click Files >> Uncheck Update links on save >> Click OK.

Issues with Updating Links Values Automatically

• Go to the File tab > Options. In the Excel Options dialog box, select Trust Center > Click Trust Center Settings (in Microsoft Excel Trust Center).

• In the Trust Center dialog box, select External Content > Check Prompt user on automatic update for Workbook links (in Security settings for Workbooks Links).
• Click OK.

• In the Excel Options dialog box, click OK.

 The Edit Links Command is Grayed-Out 

To enable Edit Links:

• Make sure the inserted links are in the formula. Enter an Equal Sign (=) in front of the links to enable Edit Links in the Data tab.
• Check the referred file name and its extension (ixlsx, xlsm).
• Ensure the workbook is not in Compatibility Mode.

Download Excel Workbook

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