Here is a simplified example of what I'm trying to do:

CarPayment.xls contains cells that list the loan amount, interest rate and
term. There is then a cell with the PMT function that calculates the car
payment. Budget.xls lists my expenses - it contains my rent, insurance and a
link to the cell in CarPayment.xls that stores the car payment amount.

There is also a cell in CarPayment.xls that contains my total expenses.
This is calculated via links back to Budget.xls - it simply adds the rent,
insurance and car payment.

So both workbooks are essentially dependent on each other. If I change the
interest rate in CarPayment.xls, this updates the car payment cell in
Budget.xls, which in turn updates the total expenses in CarPayment.xls.

I'm finding that the only way to get these to update properly is if I have
both workbooks open. If, for example, I have only CarPayment.xls open, when
I change the interest rate the car payment cell updates but the total
expenses cell does not. Is there an easier way or another explanation for
this? I would appreciate any help!

Nicolle,

You must have both workbooks open.

As an alternative, the workbook could be constructed such that each of these
workbooks becomes a worksheet within the new workbook. Then you would only
have to open one file.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP

"Nicolle K." wrote in message
...
Here is a simplified example of what I'm trying to do:

CarPayment.xls contains cells that list the loan amount, interest rate and
term. There is then a cell with the PMT function that calculates the car
payment. Budget.xls lists my expenses - it contains my rent, insurance and
a
link to the cell in CarPayment.xls that stores the car payment amount.

There is also a cell in CarPayment.xls that contains my total expenses.
This is calculated via links back to Budget.xls - it simply adds the rent,
insurance and car payment.

So both workbooks are essentially dependent on each other. If I change
the
interest rate in CarPayment.xls, this updates the car payment cell in
Budget.xls, which in turn updates the total expenses in CarPayment.xls.

I'm finding that the only way to get these to update properly is if I have
both workbooks open. If, for example, I have only CarPayment.xls open,
when
I change the interest rate the car payment cell updates but the total
expenses cell does not. Is there an easier way or another explanation for
this? I would appreciate any help!