Updating external references without opening source workbooks

Allow me to explain the whole scenario:

I designed a system of workbooks, which use several tables. There are the operator's workbooks, my own workbook, and the specialist's workbook.

The Operator's workbooks names follow the structure "PROCESSOS - *Name*" where *Name* is the name of the operator designated to that workbook, and it has a table on Sheet1 called "tblProcessos".

My workbook has my own table called tblProcessos on Sheet1, and additional sheets for each operator. Each different sheet of operators on my workbook carry a table called tblProcessos*Name* where *Name* is the name of that given operator.

The Columns D and E from each operator's workbooks carry reference formulae that bring from my workbook, on the specific sheet of that operator, the projects I have designated to them in these same columns.
All the other columns on my workbook and for every operator's sheets, there are reference formulae that bring from each operators workbook, the information they update in these same columns.

At last, but not least, the specialist's workbook carries a INDIRECT formula that identifies from each operator's workbook the projects they classified as ready for analysis.

There is a cell where the specialist can write comments and another where he can see the replies from the operators, these specialist's comments are referenced on each operators workbooks for the specific project, and their reply on their own workbook is also referenced for the project line in the specialist's workbook as well on the specific cell for that.

All that explained, all tests made and everything works perfectly, however, only while all workbooks are open. If any one of these workbooks is closed, then all the references from it in the other workbooks turn to #REF!
I have been searching a lot about how to keep the updating of data enabled for external references and give a try to everything so far, however none have worked so far.

I thought about creating a Macro on each workbook which would open other source workbooks once they are opened for the first time to have data updated, and then close the source. That sort of code could also be applicable to place in a button which would be pressed everytime someone wants to make sure they have the most up-to-date data from the other workbooks.

I really don't know much about VBA or Macros to be honest, and thus, I am not sure if it is even plausible to believe it is possible. I really need this "system" of workbooks working asap now, and any light on how I could manage to do that is very much welcome as well as appreciated.

I am sorry if this message was too long and thank you very much for even having the patience of reading it all :P