XL: How to Open a Document Linked to Password-Protected Sheet (63091)

SYMPTOMS

When you open a Microsoft Excel worksheet that is linked to protected worksheets, a dialog box will appear asking whether to update links to unopened worksheets. If you click Yes, another dialog box will appear asking for the passwords of the linked documents.

If the original document is opened with a macro, you can include an argument to suppress the Update Links dialog box; however, there is no argument that allows you to supply passwords for closed, linked documents.

WORKAROUND

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. To open password-protected links, you must open the linked documents first. (Opening the linked sheets first will suppress the dialog box asking whether or not to update links to unopened documents.)

      Sub TestPassword()
         'Open the workbook with the password (Test2.xls) first and supply
         'the password with the password argument.
         Workbooks.Open filename:="Test2.xls", updateLinks:=3, _
            password:="test"
         'When Test1.xls is opened, the links are updated automatically.
         Workbooks.Open filename:="Test1.xls", updateLinks:=3
         'Becuase Test2.xls is open, you can close Test2.xls.
         Workbooks("Test2.xls").Close
      End Sub