Linking spreadsheets and formatting excel

Jockeyp

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
12
Office Version
  1. 2019
Platform
  1. MacOS
Hello,

I am trying to link two spreadsheets together where I input data into one and then have it copied into the other. I am using a Mac and simply using the following formula;

='[Other Workbook.xlsm]Sheet1'!$C$3

It works fine enough for when I have numbers and dates in the other file but when it tries to copy over a cell with text in it, it just shows the formula above in the cell. How do i set the formula to pull through the text in the other file and not just show the formula to get the data?

I know that I can use VBA to link the two together and transfer the data but if this simple version above can work, I would prefer to use that.

Thanks in advance
 

Excel Facts

What is the last column in Excel?
Excel columns run from A to Z, AA to AZ, AAA to XFD. The last column is XFD.
Sounds like the cell with the formula is formatted as text. Change it to General & re-confirm the formula.
 
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Typically that should work, i have a few hundred cells links just like that across multiples sheets and workbooks, but i am currently having an issue where i am trying to update the formula and its no longer linking. Quick way i would do it was be in the cell you want linked, click on it, hit =, then click the reference cell.
 
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Thanks but changing the original cell format to 'General' does not solve the problem.
 
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Did you re confirm the formula, ie select the cell press F2 & then enter?
 
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Pressing F2 on a mac - I believe the equivalent is Control+U. Doing as you describe still makes no difference. It could be that the keyboard shortcut is wrong - I am working from this page's guidance.

 
Upvote 0
Missed that you are on a Mac, just double click the cell, it does the same thing.
 
Upvote 0
Yes that has done it. For future readers - ensure that both spreadsheets are formatted to General and it will work.
 
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Glad to help & thanks for the feedback.
 
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I was just seeing that too, i had to go to general to get it to link, but could than change the formatting from where as needed
 
Upvote 0

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