XL: Copying Sheets Between Workbooks Can Create Unexpected Links

ID: Q136314

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.x, 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you copy a sheet to a target workbook, you may establish a link to the source workbook that will remain even after the copied sheet is deleted from the target workbook.

Examples

If you copy a dialog sheet to another workbook and the dialog sheet contains any of the following

check box

option button

list box

combo box

scroll bar

spin box

and the Input Range or Cell Link box on the Control tab of the Object dialog box contains a reference, then Excel will create a link to the source workbook. Additionally, if the Input Range or Cell Link box references a named range, then the named range will be added to the target workbook's Define Name list.

If you copy a worksheet or macro sheet that contains a formula that references another worksheet in the source workbook, then Excel will create a link to the source workbook. Additionally, if the formula that references another worksheet in the source workbook contains a named range, then Excel will add the named range to the target workbook's Define Name list.

Copying sheets containing charts to a new workbook will also create a link.

WORKAROUND

To delete the unwanted link, follow these steps:

Switch to the target workbook (the workbook which contains the link) and save it.

On the Edit menu, click Links.

In the Source File list, click the link, and then click Change Source. Locate the target workbook in the Change Links dialog box and click OK.

Or, for more information about an alternate workaround, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q188449 : XL97: Delete Links Wizard Available on MSL

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior is by design. Any time a sheet (such as a worksheet, a dialog sheet, or a macro sheet) that contains a named range is copied to another workbook, Excel adds the referenced named range to the Define Name list, as a global name that defines the link to the original workbook.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q106718 : XL: Unexpected Results When Pasting Linked Text Box

Q124232 : XL: Visual Basic Macro to Break Chart Links

Q126093 : XL: Macros to Delete Formula Links

Q119084 : XL: Macro to Delete Link Between List Box and Range of Cells

Q138619 : XL: Macro to Delete Defined Names with Links

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kbole kbdta 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98; WINDOWS:4.x,5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; winnt:5.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: June 24, 1999