Colin wrote:
I have office, I think it is 2002, it might be 2003 (new
job). When I open a spreadsheet that contains links to a
database, it should give me the option to enable refresh
or disable refresh. Well it doesn't, it just
automatically refreshes the data.
How do I get it to behave and ask me the question / give
me the choice?


Assuming the data is retrieved using a query, you would change the
QueryTable's properties. With the cursor in the table of results of
the query use Data / Import External Data / Data Range Properties and
clear the box that indicates Refresh on Open.

To manually refresh you would then use Data / Refresh Data.

If you have a number of different QueryTables you might want to
automate their refresh using a macro. Come back if you need help with
that.

If Data Range Properties is greyed out then the sheet might be
protected (Tools / Protection / Unprotect Sheet). Otherwise it may not
be a query table at all but some other form of link, in which case you
would go to Edit / Links / Startup Properties.

If this doesn't get you to the solution report back what you found at
each stage and we'll try to help further.


Bill Manville
MVP - Microsoft Excel, Oxford, England
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