Changing the path of a linked Excel Table

[shawnk12133900]

Hello all,

I searched the forum for this topic and I found some threads from several years ago with older versions of InDesign.

I am using InDesign CC 2018 on a Mac.

I have many linked tables (over 200) in my document that are linked to an Excel File that has several tabs in it.

I have updated the Excel File with the exact same structure (everything in the same place) but new data in a new location.

To relink each table I would have to select each range, etc etc and that would take a very long time.

Is there a way to edit or update just the "Path" of the link and no other formation like which tab, and range, etc?

I should also say that I saw some threads from 2010 that included having to run scripts (that is probably beyond my abilities unless it is spelled out step-by-step, I am a graphics guy not a technical/coding guy.

Thanks everyone for thier help!!!

Shawn

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

Why not just replace the old file with the new one using the same file name?

[shawnk12133900]

Bob (Scott),

This is a good "work-around" and it is how I am actually getting around the issue right now. Here is why this gets really ugly for me going forward.

I am working on our yearly catalog. I created the catalog last year and put the pricing Excel Sheet in the same folder as the 2017 Catalog project. The Excel file is named "Master Pricing 2017".

Hopefully you can see the issue now.

I have created a new project for 2018 but to keep all the formatting and build off the same pricing sheet linked path - I have had to rename the "Master Pricing 2017" Excel sheet in the 2017 folder as "Master Pricing 2017 original" and then save my 2018 pricing sheet as "Master Pricing 2017" and place it in the 2017 folder. You can see how this is going to keep getting more and more confusion as the years go by, for example my 2020 Catalog is going to be linked to a misnamed Excel Pricing Sheet located in a 2017 folder?

So, your suggestion works and it is what I am using now but it does not solve the problem.

The best way to fix it is to change the linked path to a new Excel sheet but keep all the options the same (cell range and so on).

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks again for everyone's time

-Shawn

[BobLevine]

Why do you have to work on the new file in the same folder? Why are you renaming these files every year? I would just package it up and archive it and keep everything else the same. Perhaps put a text file in the folder with notes on creation date, etc.

Other thoughts:

Have you tried the relink command? I’m not optimistic about how well it will work with all of those tables but it’s worth a try.

If that doesn’t do it, you can visit the scripting forum to see if they have any ideas.

[shawnk12133900]

Bob,

I need to keep the Catalogs and the original Indesign files intact for each year as directed by the company.

HOWEVER...

I just tried your "Relink" suggestion on one of the tables and it worked!!

I should be able to do the same relink in bulk by highlighting all of the links in the links panel.

Anyway - Looks like a great fix - Thanks for your help!

Have a great Holiday and Happy New Year!

[Scott Citron]

I agree with Bob Levine. Just replace the old file with a new one that uses the same file name. Simple.