From the Excel 2003 HELP file
TOPIC: Control when links are updated
The control of how linked information is updated in Microsoft Excel is
dependent on the type of link used.
Links to other workbooks
The workbook that contains the links is called the destination workbook
(destination file: The file that a linked or embedded object is inserted
into. The source file contains the information that is used to create the
object. When you change information in a destination file, the information is
not updated in the source file.), and the workbook that is linked to is
called the source workbook (source file: The file that contains information
that was used to create a linked or embedded object. When you update the
information in the source file, you can also update the linked object in the
destination file.). When both the source workbook and the destination
workbook are open, links are updated automatically. When you open a
destination workbook, and the source workbook is not open, you are asked
whether to update the links using a startup prompt. You can control whether
or not the prompt appears, and whether or not to update all links when the
prompt does not appear. You can also update only some of the links, if the
workbook contains more than one.
Update all links or no links in a workbook
Close all workbooks. If one source workbook is left open, and others are
closed, the updates will not be uniform.
Open the workbook that contains the links.
To update the links, click Update.
To not update the links, click Don't Update.
Update only some of the links to other workbooks
Close all workbooks.
Open the workbook that contains the links.
When asked whether to update links, click Don't Update.
On the Edit menu, click Links.
In the Source list, click the linked object you want to update.
To select multiple linked objects, hold down CTRL and click each linked
object.
To select all linked objects, press CTRL+A.
Click Update Values.
Control the startup prompt for updating all links
Don't ask whether to update links when I open any workbook, and update links
automatically
This option is for the current user only, and affects every workbook opened.
Other users of the workbook are not affected. This option also affects links
to other programs.
On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Edit tab.
Clear the Ask to update automatic links check box. If the box is cleared,
the links are automatically updated, and no prompt is displayed.
Don't ask to update links for this workbook, and let me control whether
links are updated
Warning This option affects all users of the workbook. If you choose to not
update links, and not to prompt, users of the workbook will not know the data
is out of date.
On Edit menu, click Links.
Click Startup Prompt.
Select the option you want.
Note You will still be notified if there are any broken links.
