Embedded data from external links

DoktorPhill

New Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2020
Messages
6
Office Version
  1. 365
  2. 2010
  3. 2007
Platform
  1. Windows
My spreadsheet references an external .xlsx database of a few thousand entries and the files are getting progressively larger.
I'm trying to cut down on the file size so I went digging inside the file using the .zip method. This file here externalLink2.xml contains the entire external database.
1722924831280.png

Is there a way to stop excel from embedding this data? Isn't the point of an external reference to cut down on multiple copies of the same data?
 

Excel Facts

Highlight Duplicates
Home, Conditional Formatting, Highlight Cells, Duplicate records, OK to add pink formatting to any duplicates in selected range.
Just in case anyone finds this with the same problem (Since I've been searching for an answer for a few hours at this point)

I found this wonderful video from Excel Off The Grid who advises to turn off this option in Settings: Advanced
1722925743633.png

Uncheck Save external link values.
 
Upvote 0
Note that turning that off will mean that any formulas using that link will not retain the current results if Excel is unable to locate the source file.
 
Upvote 0

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