How to Disable Automatic Update of Links in Excel (3 Easy Ways)

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If you are looking for ways to disable the automatic update of links in Excel, then this article will serve this purpose. Sometimes the source articles are updated and then by updating links we can update the main file easily. So, let’s start with our main article to know more about this task.


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3 Ways to Disable Automatic Update of Links in Excel

Here, we have the following dataset in the workbook Confidence-Interval.xlsx and it is our source file. Using this file as a link we will copy the values from this sheet to another sheet.

how to disable automatic update of links in excel

In a new worksheet, Disable update link.xlsx, we have entered the following formula in cell B4.

='[Confidence-Interval.xlsx]Dataset'!$B$4:$C$14

For Microsoft Excel 365 version, you can only press ENTER to get the following result. However, for other versions, you have to press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

In this new sheet, we will show the ways of disabling the automatic updates of links for any change in the source worksheet.


Method-1: Using Advanced Option to Disable Automatic Update of Links in Excel

Here, in a new sheet of Disable update link.xlsx workbook, we have linked up the values from the source worksheet Dataset of Excel file Confidence-Interval.xlsx.

Using Advanced Option to Disable Automatic Update of Links in Excel

Steps:

Firstly, we can check the result of changing any value in the source worksheet of the Excel file Confidence-Interval.xlsx.

  • Change the weight value of cell C4 from 95 to 100.

Then, we can see that the change has appeared on the workbook Disable update link.xlsx also.

value is changed due to automatic update of links in Excel

  • Go to the File

  • Choose Options.

options selection

Afterward, the Excel Options dialog box will open up.

  • Go to the Advanced tab >> deselect/unclick Update links to other documents option >> click OK.

Excel options to disable automatic update of links

  • Now, you can change any value from the source dataset like changing the weight value of cell C4 from 100 to 95.

As a result, the corresponding value of cell C4 will not be changed in the Disable update link.xlsx workbook.

final result

Read More: [Fixed!] Excel Links Not Updating Unless Source Is Open


Method-2: Utilizing Trust Center Tab

Here, we have linked up the values from an external workbook Confidence-Interval.xlsx in the new workbook Disable update link.xlsx. By using the Trust Center tab we can prevent the automatic updating of links.

using Trust Center tab to disable automatic update of links in Excel

Steps:

  • Go to the File

  • Choose Options.

Afterward, the Excel Options dialog box will open up.

  • Go to the Trust Center tab >> click Trust Center Settings.

trust center tab

Later, you will have the Trust Center wizard.

  • Go to External Content >> click on Disable automatic update of Workbook Links >> press OK.

enabling Disable automatic update of Workbook Links

In this way, you will be taken to the Excel Options dialog box again.

  • Click on OK.

Now, you can change any value of your source workbook.

  • Change the weight value of cell C4 from 95 to 100.

change value

But, in return, there will be no change in the new workbook Disable update link.xlsx.

final result

Read More: How to Update Links Without Opening File in Excel (4 Methods)


Method-3: Using Edit Links Option to Disable Automatic Update of Links in Excel

Here, in a new sheet of Disable update link.xlsx workbook, we have linked up the values from the source worksheet Dataset of Excel file Confidence-Interval.xlsx. By using the Edit Links option we will be able to cancel any automatic updating of links in the new article.

Using Edit Links Option to Disable Automatic Update of Links in Excel

Steps:

  • Go to the Data tab >> Edit Links

edit links

Afterward, the Edit Links dialog box will appear.

  • Click on the Startup Prompt

startup prompt

Then, the Startup Prompt wizard will pop up.

  • Click on the Don’t display the alert and don’t update automatic links
  • Press OK.

In this way, you will be taken to the Edit Links dialog box again.

  • Press Close.

Now, you can change any value of your source workbook.

  • Change the weight value of cell C4 from 95 to 100.

But, in return, there will be no change in the new workbook Disable update link.xlsx.

prevent changes by disabling automatic update of links


How to Enable Automatic Update of Links in Excel

Here, we have linked up the values from an external workbook Confidence-Interval.xlsx in the new workbook Disable update link.xlsx. By using the Trust Center tab we can enable the automatic updating of links.

Enable automatic update of links

Steps:

  • Go to the File

  • Choose Options.

Afterward, the Excel Options dialog box will open up.

  • Go to the Trust Center tab >> click Trust Center Settings.

trust center tab

Later, you will have the Trust Center wizard.

  • Go to External Content >> click on Enable automatic update for all Workbook Links >> press OK.

click on Enable automatic update for all Workbook Links

In this way, you will be taken to the Excel Options dialog box again.

  • Click on OK.

Now, you can change any value of your source workbook.

  • Change the weight value of cell C4 from 95 to 100.

Eventually, in return, the change will appear in the new workbook Disable update link.xlsx.


Conclusion

In this article, we tried to show the ways to disable the automatic update of links in Excel. Hope you will find it useful. If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to share them in the comment section. You can visit our site Exceldemy for more Excel-related articles.


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Tanjima Hossain

Tanjima Hossain

Hello everyone, This is Tanjima Hossain. I have completed my graduation from BUET. Then I have started working as a technical writer in SOFTEKO. I have grown interest in technical content writing, research topics, numerical analysis related field and so I am here. Besides this I love to interact with different people and I love to spend my spare time by reading, gardening ,cooking etc.

2 Comments
  1. I have tried all three methods to disable update link, but the Disable-update-link file is still updated whenever I change the value of Confidence-Interval.

    I am using Microsoft Office 365.

    • Hello, DONI!
      Thanks for sharing your problem with us!
      All the methods work properly for me. I am also using Microsoft Office 365.
      Can you please send me your excel file via email? ([email protected]).
      So that, I can solve your problem.

      Good Luck!

      Regards,
      Sabrina Ayon
      Author, ExcelDemy
      .

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