XL97: Unable to Use File URL in Linking Formulas

If you try to enter a linking formula in a cell using a File URL format, the formula will return the #REF! error.

For example, if you have a file called "Test.xls" (without the quotation marks) on the network share called "\\server\share" (without the quotation marks), the linking formula using a File URL format would be:

Microsoft Excel only supports Internet links using either the HTTP URL or the FTP URL formats.

If you know the path to the file, you can create a link using a UNC path. In the example given in the "Symptoms" section, the linking formula using a UNC path would be:

The following linking formulas are examples of how you can manually create Internet links in Microsoft Excel to HTTP or FTP servers:

HTTP

When you enter this formula, it may initially resolve to the #REF! error value, but after a few seconds, the source cell value will display in the linked cell.

FTP

For more information about creating links to Internet or intranet Documents, click Contents and Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Create a link to worksheet data on your intranet or the Internet" topic. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.