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Excel 2011 hyperlinks not working - error Unable to open XXXXX. Cannot locate the Internet server or Proxy Server

Just updated to version Office 2011 ver 14.1.3 using Lion hoping this would be resolved.
I still get the popup window when clicking on a hyperlink to a URL in an Excel Spreadsheet.
Unable to open XXXXX. Cannot locate the Internet server or Proxy Server.
Are there any fixes?

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Could you describe how you proceed? Are you using the =HYPERLINK() function or do you simply type in the URL? Did you make sure the URL is correct? Does your default internet browser open? Is Excel displaying the error message or is it your browser?

I don't see an error message when I use http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/mac/forum/ and click on the hyperlink, it just works as expected...

Bonjour chez vous !
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Bernard
Office - pour Mac surtout

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Hi
I manually type the URL into the Excel cell. Should I be doing this differently?
Yes the URLs are correct. They test ok if I copy and paste the URL from the cell into a web browser.
No the default browser does not open.
Excel displays the message with a green X for Excel symbol.

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No, typing the URL should be OK and I suppose the use of the =HYPERLINK() function shouldn't make a difference (but I suggest you should give it a try if you haven't).

What kind of URL have you been testing? The one I mentioned above (or anything like http://www.google.com)? Have you tried the same URL in Word?
Bonjour chez vous !
--
Bernard
Office - pour Mac surtout

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Hi Aliboron
Ok, I tried using the =HYPERLINK() function but same result.
Same problem occurs in Word.
On further testing I found a common factor.
HTTP:// URLs work ok.
HTTPS:// URLs work ok if the SSL certificate of the website is verified by a third party certifier eg: https://www.google.com
HTTPS:// URLs do NOT work if the SSL certificate of the website is not verified by a third party certifier such as self-signed SSL certificates eg: https://203.100.237.58/exchange
These results apply to both Excel and Word.
I suggest that not allowing an unverified SSL website to open via an Office application is security overkill as most web browsers provide a warning about entering an unverified https website.
Would it be possible to bypass this security check so that these unverified https URLs open? rather than being greeted with an error message that makes no sense of what is actually happening. i.e. "Unable to open XXXXX. Cannot locate the Internet server or Proxy Server."
Thank you

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I am having the exact problem GreenVomit8 describes.  The https link is in a spreadsheet a colleague sent, and I cannot find any way for the links to work.

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I have the same problem when trying to open an HTTPS hyperlink, has anybody found a way to avoid this yet?



I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

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Did you get a solution for this issue? I have the same problem as well.

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Office 2011 does not support https:// in hyperlinks.


If you want to send a suggestion to Microsoft that they consider supporting HTTPS protocol in Word hyperlinks, use Word Help and choose Send Feedback to display the suggestion form.

Be sure to include the version number and OS version when asking your question.

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To answer ReenaKandula's question, unfortunately no.
In reply to Jim's reply. If I can open 'verified' https protocol websites (eg, https://www.google.com) from MS Office 2011 documents then is that just a fluke that it works?
I haven't found anything to say that it is not supported by Microsoft.

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Yes - I forgot to mention that verified sites will work. You can send feedback to Microsoft asking to support all https protocol sites. Obviously there are security concerns regarding secure sites that would have to taken into account.
Be sure to include the version number and OS version when asking your question.

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Last updated January 22, 2024 Views 25,258 Applies to: