Cannot setup a link to a cell in another workbook

[stuartgb100]

Hi,
New to this, but have tried this:
Two workbooks open side by side in the display.
In a cell in a sheet in one workbook, I type an '=' sign.
I then click on a cell in a sheet from the 2nd workbook, and press Return.

Nothing seems to happen. No formula referencing the cell in the 2nd workbook is returned to the 1st workbook.

Am I doing something wrong ?

Thanks.

 

[Kamolga]

You have to press twice, once to change window and a second time to select the cell. You can also type

=[Book2]Sheet1!A1

in Book1.
Of cource your book2 needs to be unprotect of cell selection to do it by click

 

[stuartgb100]

Thanks Kamolga,

Yes I have pressed twice (once to 'activate' the source, and 2nd to highlight the cell in question).
Neither workbook/sheet is protected.

 

[Kamolga]

If you do it on 2 new workbooks, does it work?
If those workbooks are not yours, you can right-click the sheet name and click on view code. If the part on the right is not empty or if there is a module in left column, it could be a macro cancelling/blocking the operation.

 

[SpillerBD]

It is possible that the two workbooks are open in separate sessions of Excel.

 

[Kamolga]

It is possible that the two workbooks are open in separate sessions of Excel.

Running

Sub CloseExcel()
Application.Quit
End sub

should close both files, otherwise indeed you have this issue.

One way to avoid the problem is to open first workbook and from there use open menu and select the 2nd file

 

[stuartgb100]

Kamolga and SpillerBD,
Thanks for the replies, and apologies for not replyingearlier but the email alerts have stopped working!
Yes – bingo.
Problem was due to two separate instances of Excel beingopen.
Educated !
Regards and thanks both.

 

[Kamolga]

Glad it works! Those little things that make no sense at first and can drive someone nuts....