"This workbook contains links to one or more external sources that could be unsafe" when uploading an Excel file into FYI

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Issue

When uploading or opening an Excel workbook, Excel may display the following message:

  • "This workbook contains links to one or more external sources that could be unsafe"

Cause

This warning is generated by Microsoft Excel, not FYI, and indicates that the workbook contains links to data in another file. It does not mean the file is corrupted, or that FYI has blocked the upload.

Note: If the workbook uploads successfully, no further action is required in FYI. You will need to manage the warning in Excel.

Excel disables automatic updates to these links as a security precaution. As a result, the links are flagged as potentially unsafe until you confirm how Excel should handle them.

Solution

There are two ways to manage this warning, depending on whether the external links are required.

  • If the external links are no longer required for this file, break the links in Excel.
  • If the external links are still required, disable the update prompt.
    Note: Disabling this setting applies to all Excel workbooks opened on your computer.

Note: This warning is controlled entirely by Microsoft Excel. FYI does not generate this message and does not block Excel workbooks that contain external links.

Option 1 - Break links in a specific workbook

Use this option if the external links are no longer required.

  1. Open the Excel workbook.
  2. Click File.
  3. Click Info.
  4. Click Edit Links to Files.
  5. In the Edit Links pop-up, select the relevant link, then click Break Link.
  6. Click Save.

Note: Breaking a link converts any linked formulas into static values. The workbook will no longer update from the source file.

Option 2 - Disable the update prompt for all workbooks

Use this option only if you regularly work with linked Excel files and want Excel to update them automatically.

Note: Disabling this setting applies to all Excel workbooks opened on your computer. Only disable this setting if you understand the impact of automatically updating linked workbook data.

  1. In Excel, click File.
  2. Click Options.
  3. Click Advanced.
  4. Under General, clear the checkbox Ask to update automatic links.
  5. Click OK.
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