Linked to External Workbook but Returned #REF! Upon Re-opening The Excel.

Hi, I searched on Google and I couldn't found a solution on this,

1. In my network drive G:\01. Project Sales\ , I have an excel workbook called A with Sheet name called Sales, in cell B5 have a value of 100.
2. In same folder, I created another workbook called B with sheet name called Summary.
3. In workbook B, I input formula in cell A1 ='G:\01. Project Sales\[A.xlsx]Sales'!$B$5. It shows 100.
4. However, without closing workbook B, now I open workbook A as well, and the cell A1 in workbook B becomes #REF!
5. I checked the formula, it becomes ='G:\01. Project Sales\[A.xlsx]#REF'!$B$5

Good news is, now if I close Workbook B and reopen, A1 still showing 100, but my concern is, this 2 workbooks are updating by 2 different persons. If workbook B is saved when #REF! is there, the links will be forever #REF!. Anyone can help me on this?

Hi Ford,

Yes, I create link as what you mentioned, but when destination file is opened and follow by source file, the cell in destination file is shown #REF!. Since these files are in network drive, and are meant for different users, if the destination file user didn't notice this #REF! cell and saved, everything will be messed up.

Dear Ford,

Yes I attached the files here. I tried to copy these 2 files to my desktop and it doesn't have problem. Perhaps open them from network sharing drive is the root cause?

Dear Ford,

After I realized that the problem only occurs when it opened from network drives, I enabled the setting from Trust Center and now the problem is solved. Thanks for the help tho.