Erase values linked to external files

[gubertu]

Hi all,

I wonder if there is a code for doing the following:

I have a WB called WB1 with Sheet1 with links to another WB, called WB2, Sheet2.

Is there a possibility to delete all the values that came from this external file (WB2)? I mean erase all of them quickly.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Yongle]

This solution assumes that references to other file are not created using INDIRECT function
- test on a copy of your workbook first

VBA opens WB1 and searches cells in Sheet1 for strings containing [WB2.xlsx]Sheet2
Cells containing that string are added to range Clr (which inititally is set to the last cell in column A to make coding simpler)
Cells in range Clr are cleared in one hit

To test
- place VBA below in a module in a new workbook
- amend the 3 constant values to match your own
- run the macro

For testing purposes (to allow you to see if only the VBA is finding the correct cells)
- line added to colour the cells RED
- cell contents are not cleared
- WB1 is not closed

After successful test
- remove the line colouring cells red and remove the leading apostrophe on the other 2 lines

Option Explicit

Sub ClearValues()
    Const lookFor = [COLOR=#ff0000][/COLOR]"[COLOR=#ff0000][WB2.xlsx]Sheet2[/COLOR]"                          'string to find that identifies required link
    Const Wb1 = "[COLOR=#006400]C:\folder\subfolder\WB1.xlsm[/COLOR]"                  'full path and name of WB1
    Const Sh1 = "[COLOR=#008080]Sheet1[/COLOR]"                                        'name of sheet in WB1
   
    Dim Srch As Range, Cel As Range, Clr As Range, Addr As String, Wb As Workbook
    Set Wb = Workbooks.Open(Wb1)
    Set Srch = Wb.Sheets(Sh1).Cells
    Set Clr = Srch(Srch.Rows.Count, 1)
    
    Set Cel = Srch.Find(lookFor)
    If Cel Is Nothing Then
        MsgBox "Not found"
        Exit Sub
    End If
    Addr = Cel.Address
    Do
        Set Clr = Union(Clr, Cel)
        Set Cel = Srch.FindNext(Cel)
    Loop While Addr <> Cel.Address
    Clr.Interior.Color = [COLOR=#ff0000]vbRed[/COLOR]                                  [COLOR=#006400]'delete after testing[/COLOR]
    [COLOR=#ff0000]'[/COLOR]Clr.ClearContents                                         [COLOR=#006400] 'remove leading apostrophe after testing[/COLOR]
    [COLOR=#ff0000]'[/COLOR]Wb.Close False                                             [COLOR=#006400]'remove leading apostrophe after testing[/COLOR]
End Sub

 

[gubertu]

Hi and thanks for the reply!

I´m going to try this code, but in the meantime, I would like to know if it is possible to delete all the values that came from any external link.

Thanks!

This solution assumes that references to other file are not created using INDIRECT function
- test on a copy of your workbook first

VBA opens WB1 and searches cells in Sheet1 for strings containing [WB2.xlsx]Sheet2
Cells containing that string are added to range Clr (which inititally is set to the last cell in column A to make coding simpler)
Cells in range Clr are cleared in one hit

To test
- place VBA below in a module in a new workbook
- amend the 3 constant values to match your own
- run the macro

For testing purposes (to allow you to see if only the VBA is finding the correct cells)
- line added to colour the cells RED
- cell contents are not cleared
- WB1 is not closed

After successful test
- remove the line colouring cells red and remove the leading apostrophe on the other 2 lines

Option Explicit

Sub ClearValues()
    Const lookFor = "[COLOR=#ff0000][WB2.xlsx]Sheet2[/COLOR]"                          'string to find that identifies required link
    Const Wb1 = "[COLOR=#006400]C:\folder\subfolder\WB1.xlsm[/COLOR]"                  'full path and name of WB1
    Const Sh1 = "[COLOR=#008080]Sheet1[/COLOR]"                                        'name of sheet in WB1
   
    Dim Srch As Range, Cel As Range, Clr As Range, Addr As String, Wb As Workbook
    Set Wb = Workbooks.Open(Wb1)
    Set Srch = Wb.Sheets(Sh1).Cells
    Set Clr = Srch(Srch.Rows.Count, 1)
    
    Set Cel = Srch.Find(lookFor)
    If Cel Is Nothing Then
        MsgBox "Not found"
        Exit Sub
    End If
    Addr = Cel.Address
    Do
        Set Clr = Union(Clr, Cel)
        Set Cel = Srch.FindNext(Cel)
    Loop While Addr <> Cel.Address
    Clr.Interior.Color = [COLOR=#ff0000]vbRed[/COLOR]                                  [COLOR=#006400]'delete after testing[/COLOR]
    [COLOR=#ff0000]'[/COLOR]Clr.ClearContents                                         [COLOR=#006400] 'remove leading apostrophe after testing[/COLOR]
    [COLOR=#ff0000]'[/COLOR]Wb.Close False                                             [COLOR=#006400]'remove leading apostrophe after testing[/COLOR]
End Sub

 

[Yongle]

I would like to know if it is possible to delete all the values that came from any external link

Assuming links are to Excel files and are NOT created using INDIRECT function

Try replacing ...

Const lookFor = "[WB2.xlsx]Sheet2"

with ...

Const lookFor = "[COLOR=#ff0000][*.xl*][/COLOR]"

 

[gubertu]

Hello,

sorry for the late answering.

Finally with the first code it was enough for me.

Thanks again!