Copying formulas between spreadsheets without referencing the original spreadsheet

[bob_sipes]

how do i copy a formula from 1 spreadsheet to another, and keep the formulas from referencing the original spreadsheet? I want the formulas to work in my new spreadsheet, instead of referencing the spreadsheet i copied them from.

when i copy =SUM(Jan!U44) it turns into =SUM('[MORSUM 2017.xls]Jan'!U44)

excel is adding the "morsum2017.xls" which is the source file name.

[#2]

@bob_sipes

You can copy the formula from the formula bar instead of copying the cells.

First, press F2 to edit the cell and copy the formula, then paste to the other worksheets.

Cheers

[#3]

I was hoping not to copy and edit all 350 formulas.

[#4]

@bob_sipes 

Not sure exactly what your situation is, but in reading your last plea--I was hoping not to copy and edit all 350 formulas--it occurred to me that you might not be aware that you can simply copy the entire sheet either within the same workbook or to an entirely new workbook.

Just right click on the tab at the bottom and select "Move or Copy" and proceed to either, uh, move or copy, based on how you fill out the dialog box. That will keep the original formulas all with their internal reference points. It's a way (in effect) to have one sheet serve as a template for others designed to do the same thing.

[#5]

@bob_sipes

I wasn't aware you were copying 350 formula, hence my earlier submission.

So the fastest solution will be to copy the formula the way you earlier did and then replace all the instances of '[MORSUM 2017.xls] with nothing using find and replace feature.

I am sure copying the sheet from the other workbook may not work if the formula on the sheet is still linked to other sheets in the old workbook as the filename will still be showing.

Cheers

[#6 · Accepted solution]

@bob_sipes 
If I understood well your question, to resolve that, I usualy go to Data / Queries & Connections / Edit Links => Select the original spreadsheet ([MORSUM 2017.xls], on your exemple) => hit "Change Source" bottom => select the new spreadsheet.

Usualy It works.

But you must be carefully, in one case: If you have another cells in the same spreadsheet, with formulas (that you don't want to change) with references to the original spreadsheet, you will have a problem, because the formulas also going to be changed.

[#7]

@inCentea-Miguel_Lopes 

Brilliant, that did exactly what i wanted and needed. Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge.

[#8]

I was very happy to be able to help you.
Curiously, it was also a good experience for me, because it was my second post on the Microsoft Tech Community.
Probably, on the day, you will be the one to help me;)

[#9]

@inCentea-Miguel_Lopes 

Didn't work for me. When I go into Queries & Connections, there are none, yet it still wants to reference the original file. Very frustrating! I too don't want to copy/paste dozens of unique formulas one at a time from each cell. It would take all day. The only way I found so far that works 100% is to take several hours clicking on each cell one at a time and manually remove the references. Annoying a hell and a tremendous waste of time.

[#10]

Same here. The best solution I have found is the "Find and Replace" feature. You can select "find all"(insert original sheet name) then replace all (current sheet name).

[#11]

If I understood well your question, to resolve that, I added to n8jones post, a small detail, if it doesn't work:

Using the initial example: SUM(Jan!U44) it becomes =SUM('[MORSUM 2017.xls]Jan'!U44)
try on the "Find and Replace" function:
FIND WHAT: '[MORSUM 2017.xls]Jan'

REPLACE WITH: Jan
Select REPLACE ALL

NOTE: when you have a external referencing, Excel formula needs '', that are not necessary on internal referencing. 

[#12]

I wanted to clarify one point: when you work on the new worksheet, on the same sheet where you have the cells, the Replace function is different:
FIND WHAT: '[MORSUM 2017.xls]Jan'!
REPLACE WITH:

NOTE: on FIND WHAT you need to added !
and on REPLACE WHITH you don't put anything on (maintain blank)