#REF! error when opening 2 workbooks

[nhungtran]

Hello,

Workbook A picks up data from workbook B. However, each time I have both spreadsheets open, all my formulas in workbook A will spit out the error #REF !

Any idea how to stop this from happening? I've been avoiding opening both spreadsheets at the same time in the past but surely there should be another way!

Any help is much appreciated.

Nhung

 

[philwojo]

Could you post your specific formula.

 

[Oaktree]

One common cause of this is that links are established, workbook A is closed, and then workbook B's tabs are renamed. When they're both open, Workbook A is looking for a sheet that doesn't exist anymore, hence the #REF error.

Try opening workbook A alone and looking at (write down/memorize) the formula in one of the cells that change to #REF . Then close workbook A and open workbook B. Does the reference from workbook A's formula exist in workbook B?

 

[nhungtran]

Before opening workbook B
='V:\Monthly Reports\[Comrad.xlsx]Jan 17'!$Y5

After opening workbook B
='[Comrad.xlsx]#REF!'!$Y5

 

[nhungtran]

Hi Oaktree, the workbooks tabs have not been renamed and it reference from workbook A definately still exist in workbook B - until i open both workbooks together, the formula in workbook A changes to pick up #REF !

I've posted the formulas in my other reply.

 

[Oaktree]

Workbook A is looking for, but not finding, a tab exactly named "Jan 17" in workbook B.

Perhaps there is a leading or trailing space in the sheet name so it's " Jan 17" or "Jan 17 " in workbook B?

 

[nhungtran]

Just checked and there's no spaces on either side...

I'm selecting the cell in workbook B directly when creating the formula so I don't think its a typing error...

 

[nhungtran]

Found the fix in another forum for anyone that comes across the same issue.

Solution: Go to File > Option > Trust Center. On right side, Click Trust Center Settings. In Trust Center window, on left side, click Protected View then on right side untick Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet.
Now my #REF ! problem solved.