How to audit and remove all external links before publishing excel to sharepoint
- Step 1Run the External Link Auditor before uploading to SharePoint — Drop the .xlsx. Every external reference type is listed.
- Step 2Break all external links in Excel — Use Data → Edit Links → Break Link for each workbook reference. Remove hyperlinks for cell hyperlinks.
- Step 3Re-audit and confirm zero links — Upload again to verify zero external references remain, then publish to SharePoint.
Frequently asked questions
Does SharePoint break external links automatically on upload?+
No. SharePoint stores the file as-is. External references in the file remain — and break immediately for viewers.
What about SharePoint links created within SharePoint itself?+
SharePoint-hosted workbooks can reference other SharePoint files via their HTTPS URL. Those URLs are also detected by the auditor.
Can I publish the Excel file to SharePoint before breaking external links?+
You can, but viewers will see 'update links?' prompts or #REF! errors. Break links first for a clean viewer experience.
Privacy first
Every JAD Excel tool runs entirely in your browser using SheetJS and ExcelJS. Your spreadsheets, formulas, and data never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.