XL97: "Cannot Open Specified File" Clicking Hyperlink

ID: Q158300

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 97, when you click a hyperlink that is linked to a defined name or a range in another workbook, you may receive the following error message

   Cannot open the specified file.

and the window of the workbook to which you are hyperlinking is hidden.

CAUSE

This will occur if all of the following conditions are true:

You created a hyperlink using the HYPERLINK worksheet function.
```
    -and-
```

The "link_location" argument of the HYPERLINK function uses the syntax:

      <workbook name>!<defined name or range>

For example:

      "C:\My Documents\Mybook.xls!Alpha"

      -or-

      "C:\My Documents\Mybook.xls!$A$1"

    -and-

If you are referring to a defined name, the defined name in question is not contained on the first worksheet in the workbook.

RESOLUTION

To prevent this problem from occurring, use the following syntax in the "link_location" argument of the HYPERLINK function:

   [<workbook name>]<defined name or range>

So, instead of using this

   =HYPERLINK("C:\My Documents\Mybook.xls!Alpha")

you should use

   =HYPERLINK("[C:\My Documents\Mybook.xls]Alpha")

   -or-

   =HYPERLINK("[C:\My Document\Mybook.xls]$A$1")

If you use the incorrect syntax, the error message in the "Symptoms" section appears, and the window of the workbook to which you are hyperlinking becomes hidden. To unhide the workbook, follow these steps:

1. On the Window menu, click Unhide.

2. Click the name of the workbook you want to unhide and click OK.

You can then close or save the workbook, as necessary.

MORE INFORMATION

The HYPERLINK worksheet function in Microsoft Excel 97 allows you to create a hyperlink, or jump, to web pages and Microsoft Office documents.

If you use the HYPERLINK function to create a link to a defined name within a Microsoft Excel workbook, you must use the [<workbook name>]<defined name> syntax when you refer to the defined name. If you use the more traditional <workbook name>!<defined name or range> syntax, the hyperlink may not work correctly.

Additional query words: 8.00 XL97

Keywords          : kbweb xlformula 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 3, 1999