Hi,

I have 3 separate workbooks I want to link together. Let's call them A, B, and C. Workbook B is built off of Workbook A, and C is built off of B. The object is to be able to enter data into Workbook A, let B do the calculation, and C display the results. So for example, in Workbook A I enter in the number 10 in a cell. In Workbook B, I reference that cell and divide it by 2. Then, C is simply a reference to that cell which displays the number 5. My personal objective is this:
• Workbook A is necessary because I need a separate workbook for entering the data. Otherwise there will be too many tabs in one workbook which clutters the file up and will confuse my clients.
• Workbook B is the main file
• Workbook C is necessary because I wish to hide my calculations from my clients.
• I know Excel has a protected view option and has the ability to allow a user to lock and hide formulas in cells he/she doesn't want other to see. However, I have read many articles online that say this is not a very secure method and if someone really wants to see your calculations, they can figure it out with minimal effort. Something along the lines of copy and pasting the worksheet into an unprotected file or something of the sort. If I have a completely different file that simply references the figures that are displayed, there's no way for the user to access my calculations.

My problem:
If all three files are open, the links flow through perfectly. Likewise if I open and close them in sequential order (ex. open A, enter data, close it, open B, close it, open C). However, I want my clients to be able to open Workbook A, enter their data, close it, open Workbook C, and voila there is the figure after the calculation is run. To further complicate matters, these workbooks will be saved in a shared cloud storage space (such as Dropbox). Workbooks A and C will be in a folder that is shared with the client. Workbook B will be saved in a separate folder that is private and viewable only to me (but also still in the cloud storage). Is there a way I can get the workbooks to talk to one another such that the conditions I set above are met?

-Notices: I've tried File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings>External Content>Enable automatic update for all workbook links. I've also tried File>Options>Advanced>and "checked" update links to other documents. Neither has worked. The files seem to recognize there are links in the workbook, but show no connections so I don't have the ability to go to connection properties under the data tab as I've also read about online. It is greyed out. Help?