File Sharing Problems

How to Copy Excel and Word Files Without Breaking Links

Rana Garcia Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to duplicate a folder containing interconnected Excel and Word files while ensuring the links inside the new files point to the duplicated files rather than the original ones.

How to Copy Excel and Word Files Without Breaking Links

Product: Word and Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Copying an entire project folder that contains smaller files linked to a larger master document for use in a new project.
Observed behavior: After copying the folder, the internal links in the duplicated Word and Excel files continue to use absolute paths, breaking functionality by referring back to the files in the original source location.

Before you start

Ensure that the entire folder containing all interconnected documents has been fully copied to the new destination before attempting to update the file paths.

Solution 1Recommended

Update File Links Manually via Info Settings

Use the built-in 'Edit Links to Files' tool to redirect broken absolute links to the newly copied files in your current folder.

By default, when you link Word and Excel files, the system uses absolute paths (the exact drive and folder location). When you copy these files to a new folder, you must manually update the source pathways so they recognize the new location.

Open the duplicated document

Navigate to the newly copied folder and open the main Word or Excel document that contains the broken links.

Access the Info menu

Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the window, then select 'Info' from the left-hand menu pane.

Open the Edit Links dialogue

Look for the 'Related Documents' section in the bottom right area of the Info screen and click on 'Edit Links to Files'.

Change the file source

Select the links you need to update from the list, click the 'Change Source' button, and browse to select the corresponding linked file in your new duplicated folder.

Save the document

Click 'OK' to confirm the new link paths, then save your document to finalize the changes.

Update File Links Manually via Info Settings

Selecting Multiple Links: If multiple links need to point to the same new source file, you can hold the Shift or Ctrl key to highlight multiple items in the list before clicking 'Change Source'.

Link Management in WPS Office

Seamlessly Manage Connected Data with WPS Office

WPS Office handles OLE objects and data links intuitively, allowing you to easily manage connected documents, update data sources, and keep complex projects organized without compatibility issues.

1. Open your files in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your master document from the newly copied project folder.
2. Access link settings: Go to 'Menu' > 'Document Encryption and Properties' > 'Edit Links' to view all connected file sources.
3. Update the source paths: Select the old links, click 'Change Source', point them to the files in the new folder, and save your document.

Easily update data sources between Spreadsheets and Writer documentsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx)Lightweight interface that handles complex multi-file projects efficientlyFree to use with an intuitive, tabbed workspace layout

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do links break when I copy a folder?

When you link files, the software often records an 'absolute path' (e.g., C:\Projects\OldFolder\file.xlsx). When you copy the files to 'NewFolder', the master document still searches for the exact 'OldFolder' pathway, causing the links to appear broken or reference outdated data.

How can I check if a link is broken in my document?

You can verify the status of your links by going to File > Info > Edit Links to Files. The dialogue box will display a status column next to each linked item indicating if it is 'OK', 'Missing', or 'Broken'.

Is there a way to make links relative instead of absolute?

Yes, you can specify a Hyperlink Base in the document's Advanced Properties. By setting a relative path, files that are kept in the exact same directory structure can maintain their connections even when the parent folder is moved or copied to a new drive.

Document & File Issues