How to Break Links in Excel

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If you've linked data from other worksheets in the same project or other spreadsheets in different file, but have since changed that information, this wikiHow will teach you how to break those links in Excel using a desktop computer. Which is useful if you've added links that you no longer want to keep active.

Steps

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  1. Step 1 Open your document in Excel.
    You can either open your project within Excel by going to File > Open or you can right-click the Excel file in your file browser.
    • This method works for Excel for Microsoft 365 and Excel 2019-2007 (Mac and Windows).
  2. Step 2 Click the Data tab.
    You'll see this above the document editing space with Home, Formulas, and View.
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  3. Step 3 Click Edit Links.
    You'll find this in the "Queries & Connections" grouping.
    • If you don't see this button, the Excel sheet you're working on does not have any active links.
  4. Step 4 Click the link you want to break.
    You'll see a list of links that are active in your spreadsheet, single-clicking one will highlight it.
    • If you want to select more than one link from the list, hold the CTRL (Windows) or CMD (Mac) key.
    • If you want to select all the links, press CTRL + A (Windows) or CMD + A (Mac).
  5. Step 5 Click Break Link.
    You'll need to confirm that you want to break the link to continue.[1]
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/break-a-link-to-an-external-reference-in-excel-f1ca8b08-4f24-4af6-92e5-f4fdb1442748

About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 28,385 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: May 31, 2020
Views: 28,385
Categories: Spreadsheets
Article SummaryX

1. Open your document in Excel.
2. Click the Data tab.
3. Click Edit Links.
4. Click the link you want to break.
5. Click Break Link.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 28,385 times.

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