7 Solutions for Greyed Out Edit Links or Change Source Option in Excel

Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!

The Edit Links and Change Source buttons are very effective tools to transfer and update large datasets with important links from one Excel sheet to another without editing each and every data one by one manually. But sometimes the Edit Links or the Change Source option doesn’t work. In this article, we will discuss 7 reasons and solutions for greyed out Edit Links or Change Source option in Excel.


7 Solutions for Greyed Out Edit Links or Change Source Option in Excel

Following this section, you will know 7 the most common reasons why the Edit Links and Change Source feature remain greyed out and what are the solutions for them.

1. Workbooks Must Contain External Links to Enable Greyed Out Edit Links

The Edit Link function is used to control links between different workbooks, such as external links. So, if your workbook doesn’t have any external links then the feature will remain greyed out.

By external links, we meant links to different workbooks, not links from the internet.

External workbook to prevent edit links or change source option being greyed out in excel

Also, make sure that you are not working with the internal links, that means, you are not linking the existing workbook. If you do, then the Edit Links will remain greyed out.

Read More: [Fix:] Edit Links in Excel Not Working


2. Cells Must Carry Formula to Prevent Edit Links from Greying Out

The Edit Link feature works only on formulas in cells, not to range names or other values. So, if you have range names or just a direct path linked to other workbooks, but you have no formulas in cells that are representing those names or directories, then Edit Links will remain greyed out.

To solve the problem, just enter the directory path or the name range like a formula; with an equal sign (=) before it.

Entering as formula to prevent edit links or change source option being greyed out in excel


3. File Name Must be Entered with Proper Extension to Enable Edit Links in Excel

The file name of the other workbook that you are linking to the current workbook, must have the proper extension. For instance, make sure you enter the extension as .XLSX instead of .XLS.

Proper extension to prevent edit links or change source option being greyed out in excel


4. Modify Excel Built-in Options to Edit Links That Greyed Out

Sometimes, Excel’s built-in options prevent you from Edit Links in your workbook.

To modify Excel Options to enable the Edit Links feature:

  • First, go to File -> Options.

  • Then, click on Advanced.
  • From the General group, uncheck Ask to update automatic links.
  • Later, click OK.

Modify option to prevent edit links or change source option being greyed out in excel

This will enable the Edit Links tool in your Excel workbook.


5. Turn Off the Compatibility Mode to Enable Greyed Out Edit Links in Excel

If the file is open with compatibility mode, then the Edit Link will be greyed out.

To turn off the compatibility mode:

  • First, go to File -> Info.
  • You will see the required filename with Compatibility Mode written next to it. Click on the file.
  • A Microsoft Excel pop-up window will appear. First click OK, then click Yes to convert the compatible file into the existing file format.

Once you turn off the compatibility mode from the Excel workbook, then you can Edit Links easily.


6. Source References Must be Untouched to Change Source in Excel

If you link another workbook in your existing workbook and later remove or modify the linked workbook, then the Change Source button will not be enabled as it won’t find the source workbook anymore.

So, to prevent this problem, you mustn’t modify the linked workbook once you are done linking it with your current workbook.


7. Update the File Format to Change Source in Excel

If the linked workbook has links to a closed workbook that is saved in the HTML file format, then the Change Source button will not be enabled. To avoid this problem, make sure you save the file in the appropriate format.


Download Workbook

Here we have provided the example file that we use in this article.


Conclusion

To conclude, this article discussed 7 reasons and solutions for greyed out Edit Links or Change Source option in Excel. I hope this article has been very beneficial to you. Feel free to ask any questions regarding the topic.

<< Go Back To Edit Links in Excel | Linking in Excel | Learn Excel

What is ExcelDemy?

ExcelDemy - Learn Excel & Get Excel Solutions Center provides online Excel training , Excel consultancy services , free Excel tutorials, free support , and free Excel Templates for Excel professionals and businesses. Feel free to contact us with your Excel problems.
Sanjida Ahmed
Sanjida Ahmed

Sanjida Ahmed, who graduated from Daffodil International University with a degree in Software Engineering, has worked with SOFTEKO since 2021. She has written over 100 articles on Excel & VBA and, since 2022, has worked as the Project Manager of the Excel Extension Development Project in the Software Development Department. Since starting this software development, she has established an outstanding workflow encompassing a full SDLC. She always tries to create a bridge between her skills and interests in... Read Full Bio

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions PDF

 

 

ExcelDemy
Logo