XL97: Unable to Use File URL in Linking Formulas (157417)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

This article was previously published under Q157417

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 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

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 Contents and Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel 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. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	11/25/2002
Keywords:	kberrmsg kbprb kbweb KB157417