Links to other sheets only work if the sheet is opened

[Guest]

When I link cels to another excel spreadsheet the links stay alive as long as
the othe sheet is open. If not opened the cell consisting the link show
#VALUE!
How come ?

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
what is your exact formula

 

[Rob]

Hi,

Unlike Lotus, Excel only likes links when files are open. When creating the
link, have source file open and select the cell to link with, this way the
full path of the file / cell are captured. Using this method does ensure
that when the file that contains the links is open, the option to retain the
link is given.

Rob

 

[Dave Peterson]

I don't think this is true.

If you link to a closed file, the value should be returned ok. (Although I do
like your suggestion to build the formula link (it's easier than getting the
syntax correct by hand).)

But there are functions that won't work with closed workbooks. =sumif() and
=offset() come to mind.