'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Excel Online Cannot Link Two Workbooks in SharePoint
Question details
The user is unable to create links or external references between two Excel workbooks hosted on SharePoint using Excel Online.
- Product
- Excel Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to link data between two different workbooks stored in a SharePoint document library to automatically update values.
- Observed behavior
- The workbook link fails to create or update, potentially due to permission errors, synchronization delays, unsupported paste commands, or connectivity issues.
Verify that you have Edit permissions for both the source and destination workbooks in SharePoint, and ensure both files are saved in the same SharePoint site.
Use Paste Link and Grant External Access
Use the built-in Paste Link feature in Excel Online and ensure you approve external access prompts so data can flow between the SharePoint files.
Excel Online requires specific steps to establish links between workbooks compared to the desktop version. Both files must be fully synced and opened in the same browser session to allow the clipboard to pass the link reference correctly.
Navigate to your SharePoint document library and open both the source workbook and the destination workbook in Excel Online. Wait for both pages to fully load and synchronize.
In the source workbook, highlight the cell or range of cells you wish to link. Press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy the data.
Switch to the browser tab containing the destination workbook. Right-click the target cell and select 'Paste Special', then choose 'Paste Link'.
If a prompt appears requesting permission to access external data from the source workbook, click 'Allow' or 'Approve' to authenticate the link connection.
Experience Seamless Spreadsheet Linking with WPS Office
If you are struggling with Excel Online limitations and SharePoint permission hurdles, try WPS Office. It provides a robust desktop application experience with full support for linking multiple workbooks locally or via cloud drives without complex restrictions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Workbooks: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open both your source and destination .xlsx files directly from your local drive or synced cloud folder.
- 3. Link Seamlessly: Type '=' in the destination cell and click the target cell in your source workbook to easily create a stable external link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'Paste Link' grayed out in Excel Online?
The Paste Link option may be grayed out if the source and destination files are not hosted in a supported cloud location (like SharePoint or OneDrive), if you are using an unsupported web browser, or if the source data hasn't finished syncing. Ensure both files are fully loaded in the same browser session.
Can Excel Online link to a workbook saved on my local hard drive?
No, Excel Online cannot create external references to local workbooks. Both files must be uploaded and saved in SharePoint or OneDrive to create and maintain web-based links.
How do I update external links in Excel Online when the source data changes?
When you open a destination workbook containing links in Excel Online, a yellow warning bar will usually prompt you to 'Enable Content' or 'Update Links'. Clicking this will refresh the linked data. If both workbooks are open simultaneously, changes often sync automatically.
