Links formatting (Excel 2000 SP-1)

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I have a master file with medical information that I want to segment for reporting purposes. I chose to use Copy/Paste Special to LINK this data to several tabs in another book … I have not used this feature before, but I copied the range of cells in the master file, moved to the destination file tab cell and selected ALL for the paste dialog and clicked the Paste Link button. In using this link between sheets, inconsistent behavior seems to happen to formatting… colors do not change with corrected data, justification does not change when corrected, borders are not updated. Formulas and empty cells transfer as 0 or jan 1, 00 depending on prior format of the destination columns, even though the source cells appear blank. The data value changes immediately and is correct, but formatting stays as it was before. We use e.g. colors for action items, so this is a problem. How can I link so that colors and other formatting are retained in the paste special link? or is there a better way to do this?
Thanks!

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AFAIK the paste-link does not copy any of the formatting, it just creates a formula link to the other cell (eg “= A1”) in the cell.

Just select the range again, copy and then Paste-special – formats and it should have the link and the format.

Steve

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Thanks for the quick answer, Steve. That works just fine. You would think MS would make it a selectable one-step solution, since all the options are there in the dialog box already! But this will solve my problem at any rate.
Thanks again!

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the quick answer, Steve. That works just fine. You would think MS would make it a selectable one-step solution, since all the options are there in the dialog box already! But this will solve my problem at any rate.
Thanks again!

Reply | Quote

AFAIK the paste-link does not copy any of the formatting, it just creates a formula link to the other cell (eg “= A1”) in the cell.

Just select the range again, copy and then Paste-special – formats and it should have the link and the format.

Steve

Reply | Quote