Excel 2002 - link columns across workgroups

[Ahmad Sinno]

I have Excel 2002 and would like to link 2 columns across 2 workbooks. I
know how to link the cells across workbooks one at a time, but I am wondering
if there is way to link columns at time. for example:

In the following example, I could first link 1a to 1b, then 2a to 2b then
3a to 3b. Is there a way for me to select the cells 1a:3a in workbook 1 and
directly link them to cells 1b:3b in workbook 2

workbook 1 workbook 2
1a --> 1b
2a --> 2b
3a --> 3b

Hope someone can help. Thanks

 

[flummi]

What you mean is you have e.g. in cell b1 on workbook 1 a reference to
cell b1 on workbook2 like in

='<path>\[Book2.xls]Sheet1'!$B$1

If you copy (autofill) that into cells b2, b3 etc on your workbook 1
you have what you want. Since a 'link' actually is a formula it is
obvious that you can't link an entire column other than by copying the
formula into all relevant cells of that column. It's just a mouse
click.

Hans

 

[Ahmad Sinno]

Hans,

Thanks. If by copy (autofill) you mean to click on the bottom right corner
of the cell and drag it the number of rows that I want to link, then I tried
that. THis has the effect of copying the same formula, without updating the
cell number because it has te embeded $ signs such as:

=[test.xls]Sheet1!$F$13

I can certainly edit the $ signs out and then all works fine. However, why
did excel put $ signs by default? I wonder if there is an option that I need
to set

Thanks, Ahmad

 

[flummi]

Hi Ahmad,

Sorry, I missed that. Of course it won't update the cell references
with the $ signs.

No, Excel does that by default.Don't know why. At least I am not aware
of a setting that one could change.

But if it works .. fine!

Regards

Hans