XL: Update Remote References Option Selected by Default

ID: Q110006

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

When you open a workbook in Microsoft Excel, the Update Remote References calculation setting for the workbook is usually selected. The exception to this rule occurs when a workbook has been linked to an external data source and you do not allow Microsoft Excel to update links to the external data source.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft Support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

The Update Remote References calculation setting determines whether or not Microsoft Excel updates formulas that include references to external data sources (such as Microsoft Word for Windows documents or Microsoft Access databases). Note that Microsoft Excel workbooks and documents are NOT external data sources.

When you open a workbook, the Update Remote References setting will be set according to the following table:

                                           Update Remote
   Condition                               References Check Box
   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Workbook not linked to any other        Selected
   documents

   Workbook linked to other workbooks      Selected
   or Microsoft Excel documents

   Workbook linked to external data        Cleared (not selected)
   source and you select No when you
   receive the prompt "This document
   contains links. Re-establish links?"

   Workbook linked to external data        Selected
   source and you select Yes when you
   receive the prompt "This document
   contains links. Re-establish links?"

To clear the Update Remote References setting in the active workbook:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options or Preferences.

2. Select the Calculation tab.

3. Clear the Update Remote References check box.

4. Click OK to accept the change.

Sample Visual Basic Procedure

The following Visual Basic code example assumes that you have a file called TEST.XLS, which is located in the C:\EXCEL directory. The example opens the TEST.XLS file and then clears (turns off) the Update Remote References check box. As the Sub procedure opens the file, it also prevents Microsoft Excel from updating any of the workbook's external or remote references.

   Sub Example()
       ' The zero after updateLinks indicates that neither external nor
       ' remote references should be updated when the file is opened.
       Workbooks.Open fileName:="C:\EXCEL\TEST.XLS", updateLinks:=0
       ' Turn off the Update Remote References setting for the workbook.
       ActiveWorkbook.UpdateRemoteReferences = False
   End Sub

Note that the Update Remote References check box is not a universal setting: if two workbooks are open, one workbook can have its Update Remote References setting selected, while in the other workbook the check box is cleared. However, when you open a workbook, its Update Remote References check box will be selected, no matter how it was saved, unless it contains links to an external data source.

Additional query words: 5.00 7.00 8.00 XL97 XL98 XL7 XL5 calc

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmOthr KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999