XL2000: Unable to Use File URL in Linking Formulas (211999)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 2000

This article was previously published under Q211999

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 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 data or files, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type create links to connect to data and files in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	9/25/2003
Keywords:	kberrmsg kbprb kbweb KB211999