Saving external links without saving data values

Hi

Does anyone know how to save a workbook that contains external links (formulas) but does not save the current value of the links?

What I am trying to do is to build a pair of workbooks where I want to hold private data in one workbook, and provide only links to the private data in the second workbook - so that the user of the second workbook can see the private data only if they are given a copy of the private workbook.

What I have found is that when a workbook is saved, both the external links AND the current values of all links are saved in the file.

I've tried unticking the "Save external link values" option - but this doesn't work - the values derived from external links to the private data are still saved in the second workbook file.

I am using Excel 2010, but I am trying to save the file in 2003 compatible xls format.

The reason why I need to do this are too complex to explain here, but cannot be avoided, so I really do need to find a way to do this.

If anyone has any ideas then I would be very grateful - thanks in anticipation.

John

Replace '=' with '^'. When ever required Replace '^' with '=' again.

Hi mohandeck

Many thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately this won't work for me - because of a combination of factors:
- the users of the second workbook would have to manually edit the links - but (a) these users are not skilled excel developers, and (b) the links are currently on a password protected worksheet
- even if I relaxed the protection constraint, the users of the second workbook would then be able to save the workbook with embedded values (and could then share this information with other users - which I want to avoid).

What I was hoping to find out is why the "Save external link values" is not working properly, and what I can do to make it work properly ... all other aspects of the two workbooks are working successfully - but target data values are being stored as well as formulas

Thanks anyway.
John