XL: Text Box Linked to External Workbook May Not Update

ID: Q173248

The information in this article applies to:

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

SYMPTOMS

When you open a workbook that contains a text box, the text box may not be updated correctly if it is linked to an external workbook.

CAUSE

This problem may occur when the external workbook to which the text box is linked is not open.

For example, if Book1 contains a text box that is linked to [Book2]Sheet1!$A$1, the text box is not updated correctly if Book2 is not open.

RESOLUTION

Open the external workbook. The text box that is linked to that workbook will be updated correctly. After this occurs, you can close the external workbook.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

When you open a workbook, Excel updates any formulas that refer to external workbooks, even if the external workbooks are not currently open.

For example, if a formula in Book1 refers to [Book2]Sheet1!$A$1, when you open Book1, the formula returns the value currently stored in [Book2]Sheet1!$A$1.

However, Excel does not automatically update any text boxes that refer to external workbooks, unless the external workbook is also open.

Additional query words: XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5 MXL5 textbox

Keywords          : xlloadsave xldraw xlformula 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98; WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a,97
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: January 8, 1999