Breaking External Links and Converting Formulas to Static Values in Excel

How can you break external links in Excel and convert formulas to static values?

Edra Kinsman, the sales manager for Narbonne Suites Hotel Chain, is using multiple worksheets to summarize sales data by state. He needs to break the external link in the worksheet and replace the formulas with static values. How can he achieve this?

Solution: How to break external links and convert formulas to static values in Excel

To break the external link and convert formulas to static values in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select the range B4:B7 which contains the formulas you want to convert to static values.

2. Go to the "Data" tab in Excel.

3. Click on "Edit Links" in the Connections group. This will open the "Edit Links" dialog box.

4. In the "Source" list, select the linked file that you want to break the link from.

5. Click on "Break Link" to remove the external link for the selected range B4:B7.

6. After breaking all the external links, return to the Manager Information worksheet.

7. Select the range B4:B7 again and copy the cells (Ctrl+C).

8. Right-click on the range where you want to paste the values, select "Paste Special," and then choose "Values" under the Paste option. Click "OK" to convert the formulas to static values.

Explanation:

Breaking external links and converting formulas to static values in Excel is a simple process that can be done with a few steps. When you break an external link, you are essentially removing the connection to an external source, such as another workbook or file, and replacing the formulas with the current values.

By following the steps outlined above, Edra Kinsman can ensure that the sales data in the Manager Information worksheet is independent of any external sources. This will allow him to work with the data more efficiently and accurately, without worrying about the formulas being affected by changes in external files.

Converting formulas to static values is useful when you want to preserve the current values and prevent them from updating automatically. This can be especially helpful when sharing the Excel file with others or when you need to freeze the data for analysis or reporting purposes.

By breaking external links and converting formulas to static values, Edra Kinsman can have more control over the sales data in his Excel worksheets and make better-informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information.

← How to organize data in an excel worksheet Troubleshooting a printer identifying components →