Trying to break excel links but excel can not break links? It may be because you have referred external file in the data source of excel objects or validations. Excel warning messages become a headache if excel cannot break links when tried.
In normal cases, it is easy to break links in excel files by just Alt + A + K or by going to Data tab-> Queries & Connection manually. Then you have to select the wanted link to break and press the “Break Link” button. This option allows you to break visible known normal external links.
![[Fixed] Excel break links won't break issue 1 excel break link dialog](https://www.techiesdiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/excel-break-link-dialog.jpg)
But What if excel won’t break external links even after trying this method?
Why Excel can not break links?
Excel fails to break external links if they are used for Data Validation or defining names in Names Manager.
In normal cases, if external links are placed in excel date cells you can select and see them, so you can delete, break or edit them manually. But if they are used in the following excel features,
- Data Validations
- Defined Name range in Name Manage
- Charts
Excel won’t break them using the Edit link option, you have to break them manually. Hence, if links are from the missing files every time you open an excel file following error message will keep appearing.
![[Fixed] Excel break links won't break issue 2 Excel Cannot Break Links](https://www.techiesdiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/excel-break-link-message.png)
How to break links in excel?
To break links you have to look for links used in the formula or data source of excel features. If you found one, verify is it the same which causing the problem, and if “yes” then fix it.
FAQ
Break link in excel not working, what to do ?
If break link in excel is not working then you have to search and break links manually. Look for the links in data validation, name manager, and data source of charts. You can also use paid link break addon.
How do I force break links in Excel?
If excel cannot break links normally using the edit link option you can break it forcefully using the manual search and edit method. Look for phantom links in various excel features data sources. Such as data validation, charts, and name manager.
How do I remove hidden external links in Excel?
Some external links are hidden in the data source of data validation, names, and charts. You can remove hidden external links in excel by looking inside sources of charts, names, and data validations.
How do I remove a ghost link in Excel?
Ghost links also called phantom links, they are hidden in the data source and VBA code of excel object. You can remove ghost links by manually searching and editing. Check and verify data source of excel objects, formatted and validation applied cells.
How do you fix external links in Excel?
You can fix external links in excel by breaking them. If edit links (Alt+A+K) not working, look for external links in the data source of applied data validations, excel charts, and names manager. Also, look in the VBA code if applicable.
Conclusion
Excel cannot break links if they are used in the data sources of excel features and objects. Links may become a ghost or phantom links if you move sheets, objects (such as charts) to another sheet. It can also cause problems when you move, edit, or remove referred excel files. You have to reconfigure and correct reference formulas and data sources to fix such link-related issues.