[Fix]: Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

If you are facing edit links’ change source not working problem in Excel while updating any source link, then this article will be useful for you. So, let’s start our main article to learn more about the causes and solutions to this problem.

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4 Fixes for Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

Fix-1: Removing Named Ranges for Solving Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

Fix-2: Removing Charts for Solving Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

Fix-3: Edit Links Change Source Not Working Due to Protecting Sheet

Fix-4: Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working Due to Breaking Links

Conclusion

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Edit Links Change Source.xlsx

4 Fixes for Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

Here, we are going to discuss the common 4 issues for which you may face the problem of changing source links for updating values. The reasons which we will be discussing are the named ranges, source data series with charts, protect sheets and breaking links, etc.

Fix-1: Removing Named Ranges for Solving Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

Here, we have a dataset of a company where we have different products and their corresponding regions. In the Sales column, we want to get the updated sales values after each month. So, the Change Source option under the Edit Links option will be necessary for updating the links easily.

Suppose, we have the sales records of the first month in a sheet Dataset of the January file,

then, we have linked the range of the Sales column of the January file in our updated sales record sheet of a new workbook.

For a new month, February, we have the new sales records in a new file named February where we have the named range Sales for the sales values.
But while using this reference we will try to change the source link of our main file then we will face problems in updating the link.

So, to change the source link properly we will delete the named range first.
➤ Go to the Formulas Tab >> Name Manager Option.

Then, the Name Manager wizard will open up.
➤ Select the named range and click on the Delete option.

As we can see, the named range for the Sales column has been deleted now.

Now, we can try changing the source link of the Sales column of the following dataset.
➤ Select the first cell of the range where we want to update the link, and then, go to the Data Tab >> Queries & Connections Group >> Edit Links Option.

After that, the Edit Links dialog box will open up.
➤ Click on the Change Source Option.

➤ Select the new file name February and then press OK.

After that, we can see our source file has been changed.

In this way, the Change Source feature has worked properly and updated the sales values of the Sales column.

Fix-2: Removing Charts for Solving Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working

Here, we have linked the sales values of the Sales column with the January sales records from the January file. For updating the sales records for the next month we will need to use the Change Source option for the new file.

The following dataset contains the sales values of the new month which we want to link up in our main file. But as we can see using the sales range here a Chart series has been plotted which sometimes causes problems in changing source links.

So, we will delete the chart first.
➤ Select the chart and then press the DELETE key.

Then, you will get rid of the chart here and will be able to change the source link properly.

Now, return to the main sheet where we will update the link.
➤ Select the cell and then go to the Data Tab >> Queries & Connections Group >> Edit Links Option

Afterward, the Edit Links dialog box will open up.
➤ Click on the Change Source Option.

➤ Select the new file name February and then press OK.

Then, the source name will be updated with the new file name.

Finally, we will be able to update the sales values by using the Change Source option properly.

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Fix-3: Edit Links Change Source Not Working Due to Protecting Sheet

Sometimes, you may protect your worksheet for security reasons but it will not let you change the source link for updating values.
The following dataset contains the sales values linked to the January file.

For updating the sales values to the new records for February month, we will use the Change Source option here.
➤ Select the cell and then go to the Data Tab >> Queries & Connections Group >> Edit Links Option

Afterward, the Edit Links dialog box will open up.
➤ As the Change Source option is disabled so we cannot click on the Change Source Option.

To solve this problem, we have to unprotect the sheet now.
➤ Go to the Review Tab >> Unprotect Sheet Option.

Then, the Unprotect Sheet wizard will appear.
➤ Type the password in the Password box with which you had protected the sheet and press OK.

After that, the Change Source option is enabled again, and select it.

➤ Choose the new file name February and then press OK.

So, the source will be updated after that to the new file name.

Finally, you will have the new sales records for the new month of February with the updated link.

Fix-4: Excel Edit Links Change Source Not Working Due to Breaking Links

We have the sales records linked with the sales values of the January file, and now we will update it with the new sales records for February month from the February file.

Now, we will update the source link of the sales values.
➤ Choose the cell and then go to the Data Tab >> Queries & Connections Group >> Edit Links Option

After that, the Edit Links dialog box will open up.
But if you click on the Break Link option unwittingly,

and then, try to change the source link by clicking on the Change Source option.

Then, nothing will change or any link will not be updated here.

As we can see, the previous link has also been removed here.
So, you have to be aware of the fact that the Break Link option can be the cause of not working the Change Source option and try to avoid this option.

Conclusion

In this article, we tried to cover the possible fixes of the edit links’ change source not working problem in Excel. Hope you will find it useful. If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to share them in the comment section.