Linked Workbooks Question

[au2010]

Hello. When opening a workbook with links to other workbooks, I sometimes get a message that Excel is "Linking" with a file name and a status bar in the lower right corner of the Excel screen (see highlighted area in screenshot below).

Sometimes this only lasts a couple of seconds, so it's not a problem. But other times it seems to "stick" on this "Linking" step for several minutes before completing the process and opening the file. Does anyone know what causes this "Linking" step to occur when opening files? Is there a way to turn it off? When I am opening these files, I do NOT want or need them to update the data from the files they are linked to.

Some additional info that may relevant:

1) The "Linking" step only occurs when the file I am linked to is closed. In other words: if File B is linked to File A, and File A is already open, no "Linking" step happens when I open File B. But if I open File B when File A is closed, I sometimes get this long, slow "Linking" step.

2) I'm using Windows running MS Office Professional Plus 2016 with Excel 2016.

Thank you.

 

[Anthony47]

In case the problem is still there…
You can modify the property of these external links, to opt for Manual updating, Automatic or for Ask-for.

In my version (office 365), this is under Menu /File /Information; look for and click "Modify external links" (I find that choice at the very bottom-right of the Information page). You can immediately opt for Automatic or Manual updating, but there is also a "Prompt at startup" with more options.

My preferred setup is for Automatic update + Ask the user (startup prompt)

Bye