Excel 2013 Error: "Cannot Access the File" When Opening Workbook

I have a large Excel 2013 file that I'm modifying. When I open the workbook I receive two types of errors about 4 times each:

Either:

a) Microsoft Excel cannot access the file https://dl-web.dropbox.com_________________. There are several possible reasons: The file name or path does not exist, the file is being used by another program, or the workbook you are trying to save has the same name as a currently open workbook.

b) We can't connect to 'https://dl-web.dropbox.com_____________________'. Please make sure you're using the correct web address.

I have nothing in "Edit Links" or "Existing Connections". How can I fix this so that I do not have to modify each computer that I pull this file up on?

How can I locate which cell is referencing this file in dropbox?

Thanks in advance!!

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Answer

Ram Kumar P

Hi,

Please provide additional information to help you better.

From where are you accessing the the Excel file?

Let us open Excel 2013 in safe mode following steps mentioned below and verify the result.

* Hold Windows key + R.
* Copy and paste, or type the following command in the Open box, and then press Enter

Excel /safe

Note: There is a space between Excel and /.

If application safe mode works, disable the add-ins by following steps mentioned below to determine the problem causing add-in:

a) Click on File menu, click Options, Add-ins, Go button besides Manage: Com-in Add.
b) Check if there are add-ins listed, clear the checkbox.
c) Close the Office program and restart it.
d) Enable each add-in one at a time, restart the Excel, and repeat the above procedure. If the issue reappears again, it will help you to determine which add-in is causing this issue.

You may also refer to the following article on how to find the external references that are used in the cells and see if it helps.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Find-external-references-links-in-a-workbook-fcbf4576-3aab-4029-ba25-54313a532ff1?CorrelationId=7f86fc97-71c2-42d9-a572-5c57097dd80e&ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US#bmfind_external_references_used_in_cell

Note: The suggestions in the above article also applies to Excel 2013 as well.

Hope it helps. Reply with the result and I'll be happy to help you further.

Thank you.

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