"Save external Link Values"??

[kdrive]

I have just started doing more advanced work with Excel and have run into a problem. I have a workbook (workbook A) with several worksheets. One of the worksheets contains several columns with "SUMIF" functions pulling information off of another large workbook (workbook B) with around 7000 rows. When I have Workbook A and B open at the same time and try to save either one I get the "Not Enough Memory" and "Cannot Save External Links" error messages. The solution I found on the Microsoft Support website was to uncheck the "Save External Link Values" box on the calculation tab of the options dialogue box. I did this and I no longer get the error messages - it also doesn't seem to affect the useability. I can e-mail the workbook to others and the values are ok. I can update the sheet and everything seems fine. But, I am worried that somewhere down the line I will have problems. What exactly does unchecking this box do? How does it affect the way the workbook works?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

I think that with the option checked Excel saves the values as well as the formulas with the workbook. If unchecked it just saves the formulas, which are refreshed when the workbook is calculated.

 

[kdrive]

Thank you, Andrew.

If that is the case, when I e-mail it to a user who does not have access to the source workbook, wouldn't they just get the "#VALUE!" message in the cells instead of the actual values? I tested this by e-mailing it to someone without acces to the source workbook and the values displayed just fine. Maybe they just can't make changes?

 

[kdrive]

Perhaps I should expand this question to add: Is there a better way to avoid seeing the "Not Enough Memory" message? I have done multiple google searches and haven't come up with anything other than unchecking this box. I'm stumped!