Forum Discussion
Link address keeps changing.
M365 apps don't handle direct links to files on network shares, cloud locations, and other web based hosts well. This was also the case with Office pre-365 in my experience. The problem with this issue is once the links are broken, they have to be rebuilt - there's no magic fix.
You may have also noticed this problem does not usually affect links pointing to folder locations and not specific files.
There are two workarounds I've used over the years.
**Might prevent links from breaking - disable update links on save:
**Will prevent links from breaking - set a hyperlink base for the workbook
Please see - "Set the base address for the links in a workbook"
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/work-with-links-in-excel-7fc80d8d-68f9-482f-ab01-584c44d72b3e
For the photo links, you could use the IMAGE function to pull the images (If it fits your situations and the photos are not stored behind a login wall).
1. Insert link => Insert link and changed the Text to display
2. same way, but without changing the Text to display
3. From local folder with images I right clicked image and Copy Link => Ctrl + V in cell
4. Office.com => OneDrive => My Files => [folder location] => photo => more actions => details => More details => Path => copy path => Ctrl V into cell
5. Office.com => OneDrive => My Files => [Folder location] => photo => more actions => Copy link => Ctrl V into cell
After opening and closing work book several time all the 5 ways works.
Looking at your Advanced > Web options =>Files => the Update links on save was checked already.
In other words it works for now, BUT I am delirious about continuing the massive work only to have it wiped out later.
- Glad it's working so far.
BTW - I recommend unchecking the 'update links option'. It seems when links do break they break as the result of being updated on save. That's my theory anyways.