Links to other workbooks returns #Ref when spreadsheet is closed

[fatboy_1989]

Hi,

I have a strange situation. I have a formula in a spreadsheet that links to another:

='I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100

For some reason the following is occurring:

Whilst 'I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100 is closed

1. If I highlight the 'I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100 and press F9 I get a #Ref
2. If I go to Formulas --> Formula Auditing --> Evaluate Formula then the 'I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100 evaluation does show me a number (not the #Ref )

If I have the 'I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100 spreadsheet open

1. then the F9 option now works and does not return the #Ref
2. Evaluate Formula also continues to work as in scenario 1

Why can I not use the F9 option when the linked spreadsheet is closed?
I also have a very long formula that incorporates maybe 45 different cells from linked spreadsheets.
I want to be able to use F9 on say the 30th value to see this value.
Otherwise I have to evaluate formula to see what this 30th part is, which takes much longer to do.
What can I do to allow me to use the F9 option?

Thanks

 

[JamesonMH]

Are your formulas using SUMIF(S), COUNTIF(S), OFFSET, INDIRECT, COUNTBLANK or any database (Dfunctions)? If they are then that's why you're getting the error. These formulas don't work when referencing closed workbooks.

James

 

[fatboy_1989]

They are using a SUM function. Within the sum functions are IFERROR's.

But even if I take only the 'I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100 component and put ='I:\[A.xls]Sheet1'!C100 into another cell, even using F9 on this (i.e. no SUM and no IFERROR functions) then F9 still returns #Ref .

When I am not in/editing the cell, the value is shown and matches with the evaluate formula process..........but using F9 it doesn't allow me to get the value this way

 

[JamesonMH]

Are the other workbooks in a different version of Excel?

 

[fatboy_1989]

No all the workbooks are .xls (microsoft excel 97-2003 Worksheet)

I do get the message pop up on file open as follows which may be a cause?:

"The file format and extension of A.xls don't match. The file could be corrupted or unsafe. Unless you trust its source, don't open it. Do you want to open it anyway?"
I click yes.