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There is no automatic way to find external references (also
called links) that are used in a destination workbook.
However, external references use brackets [ ] to enclose the
source workbook name when the workbook is closed,
for example =SUM([Budget.xls]Annual!C10:C25), so you can use
those characters to locate external references.
To find all external references in a destination workbook, you
need to look in cells, names, objects (such as a text
box or shape), chart titles, and chart data series.
What do you want to do?Find external references that are used in
cells
Find external references that are used in names
Find external references that are used in objects, such as a
text box or shape
Find external references that are used in chart titles
Find external references that are used in chart data series
Find external references that are used in cells
Close all source workbooks, and then open the destination
workbook.1.
On the Home tab, in the Editing group, click Find & Select,
and then click Find.2.
The Find and Replace dialog box is displayed.
Click Options.3.
In the Find what box, enter [.4.
In the Within box, click Workbook.5.
In the Look in box, click Formulas.6.
Click Find All.7.
In the list box that is displayed, look in the Formula column
for formulas that contain [.8.
TIP Click the Formula column header to sort the column, and to
group all of the external referencestogether.
To select the cell with an external reference, select the row in
the list box.9.
Find external references that are used in names
Close all source workbooks, and then open the destination
workbook.1.
On the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Name
Manager.2.
Check each entry in the list, and look in the Refers To column
for external references. External references
contain a reference to another workbook, such as
[Budget.xls].
3.
TIP Click the Refers To column header to sort the column and to
group all the external references together.Find external references
that are used in objects, such as a text box or shape
Close all source workbooks, and then open the destination
workbook.1.
On the Home tab, in the Editing group, click the arrow next to
Find & Select, and then click Go To Special.2.
Click Objects, and then click OK.3.
Press the TAB key, and then look in the formula bar for a
reference to another workbook, such as
[Budget.xls]. The name of the object appears in the Name
box.
4.
Repeat step 4 for each object in the worksheet.5.
Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each worksheet in the
workbook.6.
Find external references (links) in a workbook
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Find external references that are used in chart titles
Close all source workbooks, and then open the destination
workbook.1.
Click the chart title on the chart that you want to check.2.
In the formula bar , look for a reference to another workbook,
such as [Budget.xls].3.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each chart with a chart title in your
workbook.4.
Find external references that are used in chart data series
Close all source workbooks, and then open the destination
workbook.1.
Select the chart that you want to check.2.
On the Layout tab, in the Current Selection group, click the
arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then
click the data series that you want to check.
3.
In the formula bar , look for a reference to another workbook,
such as [Budget.xls] in the SERIES
function.
4.
Repeat step 3 for each data series in the chart.5.
Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each chart in the workbook.6.
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Page2 of 2Find external references (links) in a workbook - Excel
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3/2/2013http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/excel-help/find-external-references-links-in-
-workbook-...
