I have a spread sheet that recently started asking "This file contains links to other files, should they be updated". I have been using this file for a while and don't know why it started, what it means, or how to stop it. Any suggestions?

LibreOffice 3.4.4
OOO340m1 (Build:402)
Running on Ubuntu 11.10

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Have you ever copied content over from another document? The content may have been linked instead of embedded. – iglvzx Feb 4 at 22:09
Possibly, it is in a group of files that I sometimes do, can you explain a little and put it in an answer? – Dennis Feb 4 at 22:32
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up vote 1 down vote accepted

You have the choice to embed or link to an object when you insert content into your document from another source. Paste Special also gives you a choice to link objects from the clipboard.

paste special

Each method has it's own benefits. With embedding, all the content is contained within a single file. This simplifies distributing documents or moving them around, as all the content moves together. On the other hand, linking reduces redundancy, by having a single source for an object. A link's path can be relative or absolute.

Since you are receiving a message about linked objects in your file, the Edit > Links command will highlight them for you. You can then remove the links and the objects will instead be embedded.

edit links

Example:

source

link


Update:

I am having issues with Break Link in LibreOffice 3.4.5. It should be removing the links and embedding the latest contents, but the link persists after saving and closing.

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Ok, the last time it happened (right before I posted the question) I hit the yes (update) button. Previously I had always said no because I wasn't sure what was up. Now it isn't asking me anymore and the Edit>Links doesn't show anything. So I obviously ruined my chances of being certain, but this is good info that I didn't know before so I'm going to accept it. Thanks – Dennis Feb 5 at 0:52
Thanks for the Edit -> Links suggestion, unfortunately I have a workbook where I get the same prompt as the OP but Edit -> Links is grayed out. – Randy Syring May 2 at 21:25
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