Spreadsheet
Linking
Summary of what the site
offers:
| Linking in the business world
In the business environment spreadsheet linking is a useful
function that adds a lot of value to developments but also
a lot of risk. The concept of spreadsheet linking can be defined
as the linking of data between two or more spreadsheets in
the same workbook or between workbooks. The spreadsheet linking
function is useful when you have to calculate values from
spreadsheets with lots of information.
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| Spreadsheet linking assists an Excel
user to keep his Excel spreadsheets at a manageable size. Formulas
within smaller spreadsheets will recalculate faster as large
spreadsheets are generally unwieldy. Different view of your
spreadsheet can be set up as you can select what data you would
like to use for spreadsheet linking. |
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How to do spreadsheet linking within a workbook
As said above it is possible to do spreadsheet linking between
two spreadsheets within a workbook, but it is necessary however
that the data you require to link is on separate sheets within your
workbook. Once you have two or more sheets with data that you would
like to link using the spreadsheet linking formula, you can create
a third sheet within the workbook that will efficiently reflect
the data, for example the total of the first quarter profit from
2005 and 2006.
Once you are ready to put in the link you will be required to:
- Type '='
- Type in the reference to the cell on the first worksheet )remember
that between the sheet and the cell reference there is a “!”,
without the quotation marks ie. Sheet12!A1) Also remember that
sheets that have a name that does not compromise solely of alphabetic
characters must be enclosed in single quotes.
- Type in the relevant operator, in our case it would be '+'
- Type in the reference to the cell on the second worksheet
- Press Enter
You have just completed your first spreadsheet linking exercise.
Useful tips regarding spreadsheet linking
If you create a link the 'source' file – the file that contains
the data required for a different worksheet, contains the original
data. The 'destination' file – the file in which the links
are placed reflects only a copy of the data as it retains only the
'address' of the source file. Therefore the source file should be
accessible at all times.
Excel has introduced a tool that allows you to edit and update
the links in your workbook, Go to Edit, Links and here you will
find a variety of options that can be used to manage your spreadsheet
linking. Update Values, Change Source, Open Source, Break link and
Check Status.
To remove the “Automatic update” pop up that shows
every time you open a file that contains spreadsheet linking select
Tools from the Excel toolbar, Options. Then Select the Edit tab;
uncheck the “Ask to update automatic links”. Click OK,
now when you start up a file the links will update automatically
without requiring confirmation from you first.
Spreadsheet linking training
T o receive training in how to use spreadsheet linking, how to
create links between spreadsheets in different workbooks and how
it can assist you in your everyday business life, contact Miricle
Solutions. This company is experienced in both Excel and accounting
and therefore provide useful tips and tricks to using Excel for
your benefit, including spreadsheet linking.
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