XL97: Unable to use File URL in Linking Formulas

 Last reviewed: March 13, 1998
Article ID: Q157417
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you try to enter a linking formula in a cell using a File URL format, the formula will return the #REF! error.

For example, if you have a file called "Test.xls" (without the quotation marks) on the network share called "\\server\share" (without the quotation marks), the linking formula using a File URL format would be: 

   ='file:///\\server\share\[test.xls]Sheet1'!A1

CAUSE

Microsoft Excel 97 only supports Internet links using either the HTTP URL or the FTP URL formats.

RESOLUTION

If you know the path to the file, you can create a link using a UNC path. In the example given in the "Symptoms" section, the linking formula using a UNC path would be: 

   ='\\server\share\[Test.xls]Sheet1'!A1

STATUS

This is by design of Microsoft Excel 97.

MORE INFORMATION

The following linking formulas are examples of how you can manually create Internet links in Microsoft Excel to HTTP or FTP servers:

HTTP

   ='http://webserver/webpage/[bookname.xls]Sheetname'!A1
When you enter this formula, it may initially resolve to the #REF! error value, but after a few seconds, the source cell value will display in the linked cell.

FTP

   ='ftp://server/[bookname.xls]Sheetname'!A1

REFERENCES

For more information about creating links to Internet or intranet Documents, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel 97 Help, type the following text 

   internet, linking to files on
and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Create a link to worksheet data on your intranet or the Internet" topic.

Additional query words: XL97 hypertext html
Keywords : xlformula xlweb kberrmsg kbtool kbfaq
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: March 13, 1998
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