File Sharing Problems

How to Link Excel Workbooks Between SharePoint Folders

Amos Gikunda Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Excel workbook links function between different SharePoint folders or sites, and how to properly set up and troubleshoot these connections.

How to Link Excel Workbooks Between SharePoint Folders

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Connecting and syncing data between multiple Excel files stored in various SharePoint folders or across different SharePoint sites.
Observed behavior: Links fail to work or break due to incorrectly copied full URLs, unsuitable SharePoint paths, or percent-encoded spaces (such as %20) within the link structure.

Before you start

Ensure you have proper access permissions to both the source and destination SharePoint folders, and verify that both Excel workbooks are successfully uploaded to SharePoint.

Solution 1Recommended

Create Workbook Links Using the Web Browser

This is the most reliable method for establishing direct data links between two Excel files stored on SharePoint.

By opening both files simultaneously in your browser, Excel handles the background path routing automatically, ensuring the link references the correct SharePoint location without manual URL formatting errors.

Open Both Workbooks

Navigate to your SharePoint document library in your web browser and open both the source workbook and the destination workbook in separate browser tabs.

Initiate the Formula

In the destination workbook, click on the cell where you want the linked data to appear and type an equals sign (=).

Select the Source Range

Switch to the browser tab containing the source workbook, highlight the cell or range of cells you wish to link, and press the Enter key.

Manage Link Behavior

To configure how the linked data updates, go to the 'Data' tab in the Excel ribbon, click on 'Workbook Links', and adjust the refresh behavior to update automatically if appropriate.

Create Workbook Links Using the Web Browser

Cross-Site Linking: This method also works perfectly for linking Excel workbooks stored on completely different SharePoint sites, provided you have authorization to view both sites.

Solution 2

Fix Broken Links by Correcting the SharePoint URL

Use this solution if you previously pasted a SharePoint link and it resulted in an error due to improper URL encoding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Excel workbook links fail when pasting a SharePoint URL?

When you copy and paste a full web URL from SharePoint, it often includes percent-encoded spaces (such as '%20') and extra query parameters. Excel requires a simplified folder and file path to establish a workbook link; otherwise, the connection breaks.

Can I link Excel files that are stored on entirely different SharePoint sites?

Yes. Excel workbook links can seamlessly connect files located on different SharePoint sites. The only requirement is that the user accessing the destination workbook must also have read permissions for the source workbook's SharePoint site.

How do I force my SharePoint Excel links to update automatically?

You can manage the refresh behavior of your linked files by navigating to the 'Data' tab and selecting 'Workbook Links'. In the side panel, you can set the links to refresh automatically so that your destination workbook always reflects the latest source data.

Document & File Issues