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

Issue

If you receive the message "This workbook contains links to one or more external sources that could be unsafe" when uploading an Excel file, this warning is generated by Microsoft Excel, not FYI.

This message indicates that the workbook contains links to data in another file. It does not mean the file is corrupted, and it does not mean FYI has blocked the upload.

When uploading or opening an Excel workbook, the following message is displayed:

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

Cause

This is a Microsoft Excel security warning. The workbook contains one or more external links, for example formulas that pull data from another Excel workbook.

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 resolve this warning, depending on your requirements.

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. If the workbook uploads successfully, no further action is required within FYI.

Option 1 - Break links in a specific workbook

Use this option if the 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 original source file.

Option 2 - Disable the update prompt for all workbooks

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

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.

Note: Disabling this setting applies to all Excel workbooks opened on your computer.