Linked cells in Excel spreadsheets update data in real time. This ensures values remain constant between pages and avoids errors due to outdated information. You can even link cells between completely separate workbook files, as long as you keep both files on the same computer or accessible over your office network.
Linking Within Workbooks
To link a cell to an existing cell on a different spreadsheet in the same workbook, use the format "=SheetName!CellLocation." For example, if your workbook has two spreadsheets named "Input" and "Output," and you want to keep cell A1 of Output linked to cell A1 of Input, click A1 on the Output page and type "=Input!A1" without quotes.
Links Between Workbooks
To link to cells in separate Excel files, open both files. Click the cell you want to modify and type an equals sign. Without pressing any other keys, switch to the other open file and click the cell containing the existing data. Change back to the first file and press "Control-Shift-Enter." These links will break if you move or delete the source file.
Information in this article applies to Microsoft Excel versions 2007 through 2013. It may vary slightly or significantly in other versions or products.
- Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images