Fix Excel for the Web Not Updating External Workbook Links with WPS Spreadsheets
Question details
A user needs to refresh external workbook links in an Excel workbook stored in SharePoint because Excel for the web displays stale chart values.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The workbook is stored in SharePoint and contains links to another workbook on a shared drive; charts based on those linked values do not show current data in Excel for the web.
- Observed behavior
- Excel for the web does not update links to external workbooks, leaving chart values outdated until the workbook is opened in a desktop spreadsheet application.
Make sure you can access both the main workbook and the external source workbook, and note the current link path. If you are using a SharePoint sync folder, sync the library first so the desktop app can reach the file.
Refresh external workbook links in WPS Spreadsheets
Use this solution when you need updated chart values and Excel for the web cannot refresh the links.
Excel for the web does not support updating external workbook links. WPS Spreadsheets can open the same .xlsx workbook, refresh the linked values, and save it back to SharePoint.
Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the SharePoint workbook from the synced folder or download it from SharePoint first.
Click the Data tab, then choose Edit Links to list all external workbook links.
Select the external source workbook, click Update Values, and wait for WPS Spreadsheets to retrieve the latest data.
Review the chart or linked ranges, then save the file and upload it back to SharePoint if you downloaded it.
Consolidate the source data into the same workbook for web viewing
Use this solution when the file must stay in Excel for the web and you want to avoid external workbook links.
Refresh External Workbook Links with WPS Spreadsheets
Open the SharePoint workbook in WPS Spreadsheets, update the external links, and refresh the chart values without requiring Excel desktop. The free app saves back to .xlsx format with the same familiar Data menu options.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the Excel workbook from your SharePoint synced folder, or download it from the SharePoint library first.
- 2. Go to Data > Edit Links: Click the Data tab on the ribbon and select Edit Links to see the external links in the workbook.
- 3. Update external values: Select the link to the external source workbook and choose Update Values to pull the latest data.
- 4. Check the chart: Return to the chart and verify that the displayed values now match the source workbook.
- 5. Save and re-upload: Save the refreshed workbook to keep the .xlsx format, then upload it back to SharePoint if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t Excel for the web update my external workbook links?
Excel for the web cannot update links to external workbooks. You need a desktop spreadsheet application such as WPS Spreadsheets or Excel desktop to refresh them.
Can WPS Spreadsheets open and update an Excel workbook stored in SharePoint?
Yes. Download or open the file from SharePoint, go to Data > Edit Links, select the linked source, and choose Update Values.
Will saving the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets keep the chart linked to the external source?
Yes. It keeps the external link definition intact and refreshes the chart values. Save it as .xlsx to preserve compatibility with Excel.
What should I do if the source workbook path changed?
Use Data > Edit Links > Change Source in WPS Spreadsheets or Excel desktop to point to the new location before updating the values.
