Formula too long error

A

Audrey G.

Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm not at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
 
D

Dave Peterson

The first thing I would do is open the old files and the new linked files.

Then the formula will be much smaller (the path will be removed) and then try
changing the links.

If you don't like that, then I'd add a new worksheet (and hide it later).

Instead of having that one long formula, I'd have individual cells in that
hidden worksheet that did the retrieval from each workbook.

Then I could use:
=sum('hidden'!a:a)

or put that sum in another cell on that hidden worksheet and just retrieve that:
='hidden'!b1



Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm not at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
J

Jim Thomlinson

Since all you are doing is adding up some numbers try breaking the formula up
into 2 or 3 formulas and then add up the results. Alternatively you could
make the individual cell references into named ranges and then add up the
named ranges...

Insert -> Name -> Define
Create a name such as BisBudget
and in the reference add
'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7

Next year you would just have to change the named range references...
 
A

Audrey G.

Unfortunately, your first suggestion won't work for me. Again, because I
can't change the naming protocol, I have to leave the names of the current
year files the same as the prior year files. So, opening both is not
possible with Excel. I think I will have to see about adding the year to the
file name which may allow me to use your first fix.

I will try to the hidden worksheet idea to see how that goes. It wil ljust
involve a tremendous amount of time to do this on my part. I have about 7
columns that will be involved in this process.

I just don't understand why this error is occurring for the first time with
this new year. I have always been able to just do the "change source" before
today.

Thanks for the prompt response!
--
Audrey G.


Dave Peterson said:
The first thing I would do is open the old files and the new linked files.

Then the formula will be much smaller (the path will be removed) and then try
changing the links.

If you don't like that, then I'd add a new worksheet (and hide it later).

Instead of having that one long formula, I'd have individual cells in that
hidden worksheet that did the retrieval from each workbook.

Then I could use:
=sum('hidden'!a:a)

or put that sum in another cell on that hidden worksheet and just retrieve that:
='hidden'!b1



Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm not at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
A

Audrey G.

I may have breakup the formulas as you suggest (similar to Dave Peterson's
response). However, it is very time consuming to do this since I have about
7 columns that are invovled.

As for the named range idea...how would that work with each year? I usually
Save As the prior year file into the current year folder. This would make
the named range the same between the two files. How would I update it to
look at the new file? I haven't dealt much with named ranges.

Thanks!
--
Audrey G.


Jim Thomlinson said:
Since all you are doing is adding up some numbers try breaking the formula up
into 2 or 3 formulas and then add up the results. Alternatively you could
make the individual cell references into named ranges and then add up the
named ranges...

Insert -> Name -> Define
Create a name such as BisBudget
and in the reference add
'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7

Next year you would just have to change the named range references...
--
HTH...

Jim Thomlinson


Audrey G. said:
Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm not at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
D

Don Guillett

One way using a macro to get data from closed workbooks.
Make a list of the workbooks(without the extension) in a column (I used col
6)

Sub getvaluesfromclosedusingformula()
mc = 6 ' column F
mysheet = "yoursheetnamehere"' Budget
myrange = "I7"

For i = 1 To 7
Cells(i, mc).Offset(, 1).Formula = _
"=[" & Cells(i, mc) & ".xls]" & _
mysheet & "!" & myrange & ""
ms = ms + Cells(i, mc).Offset(, 1)
Cells(i, mc +1).ClearContents
Next i
MsgBox ms
range("yourdesiredrangehere").value=ms
End Sub
 
G

Gary''s Student

A much shorter formula is:

=SUM(A1:A10)

where A1 thru A10 contain:

='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Corp All.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-FW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-LS.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-MH.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7
='Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Top Total.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7

--
Gary''s Student - gsnu200901


Audrey G. said:
Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm not at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
A

Audrey G.

macros are not my strong suit...so how would i update this to pull from the
year and folder on an annual basis?
--
Audrey G.


Don Guillett said:
One way using a macro to get data from closed workbooks.
Make a list of the workbooks(without the extension) in a column (I used col
6)

Sub getvaluesfromclosedusingformula()
mc = 6 ' column F
mysheet = "yoursheetnamehere"' Budget
myrange = "I7"

For i = 1 To 7
Cells(i, mc).Offset(, 1).Formula = _
"=[" & Cells(i, mc) & ".xls]" & _
mysheet & "!" & myrange & ""
ms = ms + Cells(i, mc).Offset(, 1)
Cells(i, mc +1).ClearContents
Next i
MsgBox ms
range("yourdesiredrangehere").value=ms
End Sub

--
Don Guillett
Microsoft MVP Excel
SalesAid Software
(e-mail address removed)
Audrey G. said:
Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be
updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm not
at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
D

Don Guillett

Again, the file name is typed into the cell>the sheet is input as a variable
and the cell is input as a variable.
Figure it out.
--
Don Guillett
Microsoft MVP Excel
SalesAid Software
(e-mail address removed)
Audrey G. said:
macros are not my strong suit...so how would i update this to pull from
the
year and folder on an annual basis?
--
Audrey G.


Don Guillett said:
One way using a macro to get data from closed workbooks.
Make a list of the workbooks(without the extension) in a column (I used
col
6)

Sub getvaluesfromclosedusingformula()
mc = 6 ' column F
mysheet = "yoursheetnamehere"' Budget
myrange = "I7"

For i = 1 To 7
Cells(i, mc).Offset(, 1).Formula = _
"=[" & Cells(i, mc) & ".xls]" & _
mysheet & "!" & myrange & ""
ms = ms + Cells(i, mc).Offset(, 1)
Cells(i, mc +1).ClearContents
Next i
MsgBox ms
range("yourdesiredrangehere").value=ms
End Sub

--
Don Guillett
Microsoft MVP Excel
SalesAid Software
(e-mail address removed)
Audrey G. said:
Have a formula that links other files to master file. Links must be
updated
annually to look at new folder and file name within certain path. I'm
not
at
liberty to shorten the folder or file names (company protocol).

When I try to change the source under Edit -- Links, I get "Formula too
long" error. This has not been the case in prior years. How can I get
around this error? I have also tried Find/Replace to simply change the
years, which would do the same as changing the source, but I still get
"Formula too long" error.

I need help on this one fast, as I have to provide worksheets to
managers
today! One formula is as follows:
=+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper
Exp-Bis.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Corp All.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-DM.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-FW.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-JC.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-LS.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-LW.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-MH.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget & Financials\Business
Plan\2009\Operating
Exp\[Oper Exp-SJ.xls]2009 Budget'!$I7+'Z:\Finance\Budget &
Financials\Business Plan\2009\Operating Exp\[Oper Exp-Top
Total.xls]2009
Budget'!$I7

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

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