Linked File Calcuation req. source file to be open

Unless I have a linked file open it is not giving me the correct result. Even when I refresh or update values, it is still incorrect, I have to have the source file open.

Can you please help as it is driving me insane and I am very worried I will send something out that is very very wrong!

I am using Excel 2003,

If you can avoid it, then avoid linked files. Better to have one large file than 3 linked ones.

What formulae are you using? =indirect() only works on opened files

Is your linked file (son) also linked to another file (grandson)? If so then you need to update these source links (as well as any earlier links) before updating the final links.