One way to get round the update links message is to have a 2nd simple
"loader" workbook which in its Auto_Open just does

' open the real workbook without updating links.
Workbooks.Open ThisWorkbook.Path & "\RealBook.xls", UpdateLinks:=0
' run the Auto_Open for the real workbook
ActiveWorkbook.RunAutoMacros xlAutoOpen
' close me
ThisWorkbook.Close False

The real workbook can do any link munging that may be needed in its
Auto_Open.

Excel 2002 introduced more options on how to handle the startup prompt
for links, as you probably know.

Bill Manville
MVP - Microsoft Excel, Oxford, England
No email replies please - respond to newsgroup