External Links

When you open a file that contains external links, there are lots of different popups and messages that you might see.

Automatic Update of Links has been Disabled

These security alerts appear in the Message Bar below the ribbon.
This message appears when at least one of these external links, has its "update" status set to "automatic".
This message appears even if you untick "Ask to update automatic links".

Automatic update of links has been disabled - This message appears when the workbook only contains external links.
Some active content has been disabled. Click for more details - This message appears when multiple security warnings need to be displayed.
Enable Content - This will enable the automatic links to be updated (on this occasion).

This Workbook Contains Links

When does this message get displayed - unable to recreate.

This message appears even if you untick "Ask to update automatic links".
Update -
Don't Update -
Help -

Message - Cannot Update

We can't update some of the links in your workbook right now  

Continue -
Edit Links - Displays the Edit Links dialog box.

Message - Cannot Connect

We can't connect to. Please make sure you're using the correct web address 

Message - Cannot Access

Microsoft Excel cannot access the file. There are several possible reasons 

Message - Cannot Locate

Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server 

Message - Cannot Download

Cannot download the information you requested 

The status bar says "Accessing file. Press ESC to cancel."
Then the "Can't access" message appears.
Then the status bar says "Contacting the server for information. Press ESC to cancel."
Then the "Can't locate" message appears.
This loop repeats several times.
Then a progress bar appears saying "Contacting the server for information ..."
Eventually the "Can't update" message appears.