How can I keep files from being redirected in Win 7

[87syncro]

Have a Dell TC3500 from a business. Win 7 pro plus was/is loaded along with Visual Studio 2008 and VS 2010, SQL Server 2008. I loaded Office 2010 pro plus yesterday (activation has been done and is OK).

I am trying to move copies of files from an older Dell WS running XP. All files are on an external HD. Have moved one folder (only) containing mostly Excel 2000 files. No trouble/errors when moving to Win 7 "Documents/My documents/Samples".

One file contains cells that "receive" data from other Excel files that are loaded daily. Just a simple way of saving/displaying/tracking yearly data.

This file opens OK in Excel 2010 but the "linking cells formula" now have "directories added to them". I think the files are being redirected and I prefer them to be in the "Documents/My Documents/Samples" folder. Helps make the formula more "compact" along with being easier to keep files/data in order.

These files have been working without abnormal problems for several years. I am new to Win 7 (have been using XP Pro for years) and would like Win 7 to allow me to keep using the files without major changes.

Any way to get this done without becoming a "software guru"?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Slartybart]

Nope - you must become a software guru!

For staters, read this https://support.microsoft.com/kb/328440

I no longer use Excel, so I cannot check where the setting might be, but what you're looking for is in this area:

Relative vs. absolute links

Links to external workbooks are created in a relative manner whenever possible. This means that the full path to the source data file is not recorded, but rather the portion of the path as it relates to the linked workbook. With this method, you can move the workbooks without breaking the links between them.

The links remain intact, however, only if the workbooks remain in the same location relative to each other. For example, if the linked file is C:\Mydir\Linked.xls and the source data file is C:\Mydir\Files\Source.xls, you can move the files to the D drive as long as the source file is still located in a subfolder called "files".

Relative links may cause problems if you move the linked file to different computers and the source is in a central location.

What were the original locations relative to each other?

 

[Kari]

Slartybarts post pretty much summarizes it.

The way Excel handles links to external workbooks is why I keep my Excel files on an external drive. I can connect it to any Windows PC and all referrals to external workbooks and sheets always work.

Another good way to work with Excel is to use SkyDrive as storage; Excel like all Microsoft Office products works well with SkyDrive.

A practical way to combine both is to use external storage and create the same folder structure on SkyDrive, backing up the external drive's Excel folders there.

Kari

 

[87syncro]

Appreciate your replies

Slartybart,

Don't think I can ever become a software "guru"!! But your suggested "reading" and further reading of Win 7 help files gives me a better understanding of 7 file structure. It will take time and more reading to develop a "full appreciation" of Win 7.

Kari,

Never thought about trying the external HD as a file "base". Think I attempted that with XP. As well as I remember, I had a problem with that approach using XP. Could a USB flash memory also be used for an external directory?

I have the files updating as they should for now (at least it worked this morning). I did the "save as" function and selected 2003-2007 workbook option for all files.

Again, really appreciate your responses. Helped me get me "moving in the right direction".

 

[Kari]

I cannot see any issues using in using external storage, impossible to say why you had issues with XP and Excel.

Any external storage is fine, also a USB flash. Just keep in your mind a USB flash memory is more vulnerable than an external HDD; be sure you backup your data.