Bill,

Thanks for that, and I understand what you are saying. The estimating
workbook contains the more complicated formulas, as per your description, so
if one broke the links then the workbook would not work.

It does not answer the original point, though, which is that the linked
estimating workbook must somehow contain all variables within the variables
workbook for it to function. And if this is the case, then where are those
variables stored, and how would the customer view them if he had a mind to do
so?

Will


"Bill Manville" wrote:

Will wrote:
I take your point, but presumably this would then mean that the estimating
workbook would not work as it would only contain those parameters which were
selected when it was initially sent?



It depends on how you have written your formulas.

If you have just brought individual parameters into cells in the estimating
workbook by links (e.g. =[clientparams.xls]Sheet1!CostPerPage ) then breaking
the link will put the relevant value into the cell.

If you have included references to the source workbook in a more complicated
formula (e.g. =NumberOfPages*[clientparams.xls]Sheet1!CostPerPage )
then you are correct, that formula will not continue to work when you change
NumberOfPages since the entire formula will be replaced by its current value.

You might therefore choose to have a MyCostPerPage cell in the estimating
workbook, containing =[clientparams.xls]Sheet1!CostPerPage and change your
formula to =NumberOfPages*MyCostPerPage .

As I said, the user will easily be able to determine what his parameters are,
given that the formulas can be seen, but at least he won't be plagued by
"update links?" questions when opening the workbook.




Bill Manville
MVP - Microsoft Excel, Oxford, England
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