In ,
dk_ spake thusly:

Running Excel97, and Excel98 Mac.

I'd like to manually be able to control updating of 'linked
references' in a few workbooks, without having to click the 'No'
button in the dialog box that displays when I open each workbook
containing links.

If I uncheck the choice on the 'ToolsOptionsEdit tab', (Ask
to update automatic links), then I don't get the 'ask" dialog box
upon file opening, but then the links update automatically.

I have three columns of stock quote data that I download, and
I'd like to update each workbook manually by choice.

What's the best way to do this?

Maybe 'linked references' is not best way to do this?

Well, I have similar tasks, but use a different approach. I
do have the Ask dialog turned of in Options. But I also use a
(normally hidden) worksheet in my workbook to store and permit
refreshes of the data source, which is a CSV file I download often
from my broker. I have the main sheet set up as series either of
references to the appropriate columns in the hidden sheet, or of
calculated fields of my own devise that build on the broker's data.
(E.g., percent gain, annualized percent gain, etc., etc.)
(I even have the header-row title in the calculated fields
formatted differently -- different color -- from the title
in the linked ("imported," more or less) columns/fields,
so I can know at a glance which is my data and which is
the broker's.

I have a macro that refreshes the data sheet from it source
and fixes up the rows on my main, visible sheet to match the
new data.

I also use some conditional formatting to cross-check for
data validation. Sometimes the broker makes a mistake!
E.g., if Cost was $5,000.00 and proceeds were $5,555.55 but
the Realized Gain is listed as $555.53, my cell turns pink.
If I bought 100 shares @ $50.00 but the Cost says $5123.45,
that cell turns orange. And so on.

Are these ideas at all helpful?

-dman-