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Wendy Goeminne's avatar
Wendy Goeminne
Copper Contributor
Mar 21, 2017

"Ghost links" in excel

Dear all,   I have a link in my excel (visible in data/edit links) but I cannot find in which cell this link exists. I have already tried to search for it with Ctrl F, but no result. If I try to re...
excel
claudia.lo's avatar
claudia.lo
Copper Contributor
Apr 07, 2017

Hi

I've experience of such when there are name range setting contain reference from other file.  Use 'Defined Names' functions under 'Formulas' tab and check if there are range name addressed from other files. 

 

Regards

Claudia

M-Miller's avatar
M-Miller
Copper Contributor
May 03, 2022
Mine was a Defined Name in the Formulas tab. thanks claudia.lo
  • guitarkenn's avatar
    guitarkenn
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 25, 2022

    I had multiple phantom links and none of them showed up in the Find and Replace dialog box. I was able to get rid of some of the phantom links with Name Manager, but I figured out that Name Manager does not show names which are on hidden sheets. So, unhide all sheets in your workbook, then go to Name Manager and delete all bad references. Then re-hide the sheets you want hidden. Also, you may have to check if your workbook has Very Hidden sheets (yes, that is a real thing which is different from Hidden sheets) and unhide these too, otherwise they will not show up in Name Manager.

     

    Hope this saves someone else some time.

    • phyllisfee's avatar
      phyllisfee
      Copper Contributor
      Sep 13, 2022
      Hi! Have lived with ghost links for an exceedingly long time. I now need to share some excel workbooks with a new team and must remove them. Shot in the dark here but ...

      How do I unhide "Very Hidden" sheets?
      For that matter, can I unhide "Very Hidden" Macros, Names, External Data Sources?
      • guitarkenn's avatar
        guitarkenn
        Copper Contributor
        Sep 13, 2022

        phyllisfee 

        See explanation of "very hidden" links below:

        https://www.ablebits.com/office-addins-blog/2017/12/20/very-hidden-sheets-excel/

        I do not know the answer to your second question.

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