2 files with passwords. I open one, input password, it opens, then it asks for the other f

Hello, I had some strange behaviour in a couple of excel files.

Both files have about 10 sheets each and have a totals sheets. After I introduced some formulas it got really slow, both of them, so I deleted the formulas and decided that if I need that information I'll simply create the formulas again and then delete them.

Well, I noticed the following: when I would type information in a cell, the formulas would not do their job, until I saved the file. I searched the forum and found a solution, formulas were not in automatic, even though previously they were and I never moved anything.

Now, I noticed also that when I open one of the password protected files (File A), it asks for the other file's password (File B), but not the other way around. I checked for any formulas that reference to File B but found none.

1. I open File A.
2. It asks me File A's password, I type it.
3. File A opens.
4. It asks File B's password.
5. I type it in or click "cancel" on different occasions and nothing happens, I just continue working on the file I wanted to open.

So I deleted File A's password and the same thing happened.

So I deleted File A's and B's passwords and now a different thing happens with File A that doesn't happen with File B.

1. I open File A.
2. I do nothing.
3. I close File A.
4. It asks me if I want to save changes (this is strange for when I open and close File B after doing nothing, it doesn't ask to do this).

Help! I plan on recording a lot of valuable information here so I need to be sure everything will be ok and I won't have any surprise crashes in the middle of work.

Cheers,

P. D. This was posted on Mr. Excell as well:
http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-q...-password.html

You might want to try making a copy of File A and deleting one sheet at a time to see if you can isolate which sheet contains the link. Then you can try deleting columns/rows to further narrow things down.
Another things to check is if there any Names defined in File A which refer to File B? Open 'Name Manager' on the 'Formulas' tab and see if anything in the 'Refers to' column contains 'File B'.

I know you've tried various online suggestions, but you might find something here: http://www.excelforum.com/excel-gene...reak-link.html

Otherwise, it's difficult without having the files themselves - which you would first need to strip out any confidential information from.

Edit: ok, just saw your post above - if you know where the link is, you might also want to check any Conditional Formatting (CF) which refers to that cell - the link I gave above mentioned CF as a problem.

Regards,
Aardigspook

If your problem is solved, please go to 'Thread Tools' above your first post and 'Mark Thread as Solved'.
You don't need to give me rep if I helped, but thanks are appreciated.

Crosspost => please read the forumrules about crossposting.

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-q...-password.html

That problem link could be buried in a name in the Name Manager.
Here is a small macro that I got from somewhere that I can't remember that will make hidden names visible. Perhaps the link is in a hidden name,

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Here is another from MrExcel

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Unless you know exactly what you are looking for, it can be a real problem finding a link as it can be hidden within Data Validation that is not a part of the cell contents for searching purposes. The same thing applies to Names for Named Ranges. There could be hidden names produced by VBA or hidden worksheets both of which could have the link.

One thing that I found that helps is to on the Formulas Tab click on show formulas and that reveals the formulae and of course the names within the formulae.

That Break Links could certainly be improved so that the link could really be eliminated instead of just breaking it.

Of course it won't work with Data Validation as I stated in my message. Data Validation doesn't leave a formula in the cell, only possibly a value.

Originally Posted by isafloor

You sir, are a true Excel sleuth. <snip> Thank you for the help!

You're very welcome, though thanks are really due to the members who contributed in the thread I linked to.