Copying Sheets Between Workbooks Can Create Unexpected Links

When you copy a sheet to a target workbook, you may establish a link to the source workbook that will remain even after the copied sheet is deleted from the target workbook.

Examples

If you copy a dialog sheet to another workbook and the dialog sheet contains any of the following

• check box
• option button
• list box
• combo box
• scroll bar
• spin box

and the Input Range or Cell Link box on the Control tab of the Object dialog box contains a reference, then Excel will create a link to the source workbook. Additionally, if the Input Range or Cell Link box references a named range, then the named range will be added to the target workbook's Define Name list.

If you copy a worksheet or macro sheet that contains a formula that references another worksheet in the source workbook, then Excel will create a link to the source workbook. Additionally, if the formula that references another worksheet in the source workbook contains a named range, then Excel will add the named range to the target workbook's Define Name list.

Copying sheets containing charts to a new workbook will also create a link.

To delete the unwanted link, follow these steps:

1. Switch to the target workbook (the workbook which contains the link) and save it.
2. On the Edit menu, click Links.
3. In the Source File list, click the link, and then click Change Source. Locate the target workbook in the Change Links dialog box and click OK.

Or, for more information about an alternate workaround, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

This behavior is by design. Any time a sheet (such as a worksheet, a dialog sheet, or a macro sheet) that contains a named range is copied to another workbook, Excel adds the referenced named range to the Define Name list, as a global name that defines the link to the original workbook.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: