Networking linked spreadsheets - best practice

[AyurvedaPura]

Hi

I have a number - about 25 - of manufacturing log spreadsheets that need to exist on a networked workstation - let's call it WKSTN 02. These contain multiple sheets.

These logs contain cell references which are linked to several other sheets on a Master Stock List spreadsheet - a separate workbook - which will mostly be accessed from another networked workstation - lets call it WKSTN 01.

My question is:

How to best set up the links and position the workbooks?

Should I:

1) Simply link all the worksbooks and sheets in WKSTN 02, and then drop shortcuts / newtowrk links to WKSTN 01, so launching my Master Stock List from WKSTN 01 will simply refer to the files on WKSTN 02.

2) Set up the Manufacturing logs on WKSTN 02, the Master Stock List on WKSTN 01, and link the cells across the network.

ie, should I keep all the linked workbooks together in one location and then launch from other networked computers from this one location, or is it better to set up the links themselves within the spreadsheets across the network?

I hope this is clear, I've never set up books that need to be linked and run from different machines on a network, so any advice will be gratefully received!

Regards

Daniel

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

Welcome to MrExcel.

If you are going to link workbooks it's best if they share the same path. That way the links will still work when the workbooks are moved, because the links are stored in a relative manner.

 

[AyurvedaPura]

Thanks Andrew - so I take it this means that it would be best if the entire linked system exists on one machine, and then other machines simply refer to that network location when wishing to access the workbooks (ie launch from the network location where all the linked books are kept) rather than have one sheet on one machine, and the cell links reaching across the network to another machine where the other sheets are?

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

Yes, on one machine or a central server.

 

[AyurvedaPura]

Many thanks!

Short and sweet!

Kind regards

Daniel