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Frank Robertson's avatar
Frank Robertson
Copper Contributor
May 17, 2018

Excel file to ONLY reference another open workbook

Greetings all,

 

     I am trying to create a standalone Excel pivot table that pulls data from another open workbook but whenever I send it to someone, it has references to my file paths.  Here is what I am doing.

 

I have a main file where there is a lot of information utilized by many different people.  I am creating specific excel pivot workbooks based on individual needs from this large database.  I can pull the data and create the file and have it work perfectly on my own computer, but once I send it to the person that needs to use it, it cannot update because it has my file path recorded in which their computer does not have.

 

     What I am asking for, is a way that the workbook only references another open workbook.  So they open my file, and then open their personalized pivot workbook and hit refresh, and all the data jumps from one to the other.   

 

     I can delete the file path, leaving just the name of the file  (C:/name/folder1/folder2/[filename.xlsx] down to just [filename.xlsx]) and it will work great for that session, but the next time you open the file, you have to get rid of the file path again.  I want it to only reference the open workbook and not try to find a file path.  Is this possible?  

1 Reply

  • Al C's avatar
    Al C
    Copper Contributor

    Hi Frank, I don't think this is possible. The situation you described is a perfect scenario for:

    1. A shared file system where you can direct link the PivotTables to an underlying data source in a shared folder
    2. Store your main data file online and use Google Sheets or https://www.coda.io?utm_campaign=msft-tech-alchen&utm_medium=social&utm_source=microsoft&utm_content=excel-answer

    Otherwise the user will have to change the file name every time they open the workbook.

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