Problem with workbook link in Excel
we have a problem with some excel files with embedded workbook links pointing to a BOX folder.
Today, after enabling BOX for Microsoft Office (desktop) some of these links changed from:
C:\users\username\BOX\Boxdrivername\Boxfoldername
To
api.box.com\userName\BOX\Boxdrivername\Boxfoldername
thus giving a file not found error when we reopen the "master" excel file.
How can we solve this problem?
Below is the procedure for reproducing the error.
Starting Configuration:
BOX drive installed: YES
Enabled Box for Microsoft Office Coauthoring: NO
In this example, the original file (test.xlsx) contains a link to a second file (linkedworkbook.xlsx) . As you can see the path is C:\users\svacchini\BOX\CIT.......
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After enabling BOX for Microsoft Office:
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If I open the test.xlsx all links to related workbooks change, making it impossible to update the data correctly.
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To solve this situation, I must manually change all the data sources:
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In this example, the new link is: https://api.box.com/wopi/files/1642985320322/WOPIServiceIdTPBOX2/WOPIUserId-/linkedworkbook.xlsx
Removing BOX for Microsoft Office
If I remove it and I haven't already changed the path of the linked workbooks, excel goes back to working correctly.
Of course, if I have modified any path to the new (api.box.com), I will have the same problem.
Conclusion
This operation (manually change data sources) should be done for all files that contain external data (csv, linked workbook, etc).
As you can imagine, it is not applicable on a large scale.
Do you have any alternative solutions?
Thank you and best regards
Sergio