XL2/XL3: OPEN.LINKS May Open Files When No Links Exist

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x and 3.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2 and 3.0
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.x and 3.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel versions 3.0 and earlier, the OPEN.LINKS() macro function may open files even when the active worksheet does not contain links to other files.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in Microsoft Excel, version 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The OPEN.LINKS macro function is equivalent to choosing the Links command from the File menu. When the active worksheet does not contain Links, the Links command is unavailable (dimmed). In some instances the OPEN.LINKS command may open worksheets even if no links exist in the active worksheet.

When used in conjunction with the LINKS function, the OPEN.LINKS command will open all worksheets that are linked to the active worksheet. If no links exist, the macro will produce and error when it evaluates the OPEN.LINKS statement. This is correct behavior.

In versions 3.0 and earlier of Microsoft Excel, if you use the OPEN.LINKS function with other macro commands that return filenames (such as the FILES function), the OPEN.LINKS command will open the files returned by the function even though these files may not be linked to the active worksheet.

NOTE: The OPEN.LINKS(LINKS()) function will always perform correctly, since the LINKS command requires that the active worksheet contain links.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 4.0, pages 308-309