XL: ErrMsg: "Unable to Save External Link Values"

ID: Q178086

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to save a workbook that contains a link to a large range of cells (approximately 16,000 cells), the following error message may appear:

   Not enough memory

Then, the following error message appears:

   Unable to save external link values

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you save a workbook that contains a link to a range of cells in a different workbook, and the range is more than 16,000 cells. This problem occurs because Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows cannot save a workbook that contains a link to an external range of more than 16,000 cells.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, link to multiple smaller ranges instead of one large range.

If you do not need to save a copy of the external link values, you can disable the option to save a copy of the external link values by following these steps:

1. Switch to the workbook that contains the link formulas.

2. On the Tools menu, click Options.

3. Click the Calculation tab in the Options dialog box.

4. Clear the Save External Link Values option under Workbook Options and

   click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kberrmsg xlloadsave 
Version           : WINDOWS:97,7.0;
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: January 8, 1999