How to Link Files in Excel (5 Different Approaches)

Method 1 – Link to a New File in Excel

Our sample dataset contains some product names in column B and their prices in column C, and we want to create and link a file with the details of the products in column D.

Steps:

Select the cell where you want to create the new file to link with Excel.
Go to the Insert tab from the ribbon.
Click on the Link drop-down menu bar under the Table category.
Click on the Insert Links.

5 Different Approaches to Link Files in Excel

Alternatively, right-click on the required cell and select Link.

This will open a dialog box named Insert Hyperlink.
In the Link to section, click on Create New Document.
Under Name of new document text box, write the name of the document you want to create. We wrote Product.
Click on the OK button.

If you wish to change the location of the document you just created, go to Change on the right of the Full path section.

This will make the new document as an HTML file.

In the When to edit section, choose when you want to edit the document.

In the Text to display box, put the text you want displayed in the cell.

And, this will create the link file in the cell.

Method 2 – Link Other Files

We have a dataset that contains some article names in column C and we wish to link the destination of all those articles in column D.

Steps:

Select the cell where you want to put the linked file.
From the ribbon, select the Insert tab.
Under the Table category, click the Link drop-down menu bar.
Select Insert Links from the drop-down menu.
Alternatively, right-click and select Link.

This will bring up the Insert Hyperlink dialog box.
Click on the Existing File or Web Page under the Link to section.
Click on Current Folder. If your file is in a different folder, use the browser in Look in.
Select the file you want to link up with your Excel sheet. The file location will be shown in the Address text box.
In the Text to display box, type the text that you want in the cell.
Click OK.

Repeat for all other cells you need.

Method 3 – Link to Other Worksheets with the HYPERLINK FUNCTION

The syntax for the HYPERLINK function is:

HYPERLINK(link_location,[friendly_name])

➧ Arguments

link _location: [required] This is the location of the file, page, or document to be opened.

friendly_name: [optional] This is the text string or numerical value that appears in the cell as a link.

We’ll use the following example dataset.

Steps:

Select the cell where you want to link the other sheet file. We selected cell C3.
Insert the formula below.

=HYPERLINK("#Sheet1!A1", "Sheet1")

Press Enter.

#Sheet1!A1 indicates the link location.

Method 4 – Link Web Pages via HYPERLINK

Steps:

Select a cell. We have a list of websites starting in B5 and their URLs in C5, so we selected D5 to put links to those websites.
Use the formula below.

=HYPERLINK(C5,B5)

Press Enter.

Repeat for other cells or use AutoFill.

Method 5 – Image File Linking in Excel

Steps:

Pick the cell where you want to link a new file to Excel.
Select the Insert tab on the ribbon.
Under the Table category, select the Link drop-down menu bar.
Select Insert Links from the drop-down menu.
Additionally, right-click and select Link.

You’ll get an Insert Hyperlink dialog box.
Go to the Link to section and choose Existing File or Web Page.
Select Current Folder.
Select the image file you wish to link to your excel sheet. In the Address text field, the image file path will be displayed.
Type the cell text you want to use in the Text to display box.
Click on OK.

Download the Practice Workbook

Files Linking .xlsx

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How to Link Files in Excel (5 Different Approaches)

Method 1 – Link to a New File in Excel

Method 2 – Link Other Files

Method 3 – Link to Other Worksheets with the HYPERLINK FUNCTION

Method 4 – Link Web Pages via HYPERLINK

Method 5 – Image File Linking in Excel

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