One Drive Excel files are not updating with my other linked excel files

Question

One Drive Excel files are not updating with my other linked excel files

Freethinker 20

Unable to Refresh: We couldn’t get an update values from a linked workbook.

Server Error

BillC 10 Reputation points

2025-08-08T06:21:47.81+00:00

I am having the same problem exactly. My onedrive Excel files have completely stopped linking with one another. The answer by AceRobertT solves nothing. Otherwise, I have tried simply repasting the links into the linked workbood and that still did not word.

4 answers

Your answer

BillC 10 Reputation points

2025-08-08T06:21:47.81+00:00

I am having the same problem exactly. My onedrive Excel files have completely stopped linking with one another. The answer by AceRobertT solves nothing. Otherwise, I have tried simply repasting the links into the linked workbood and that still did not word.

Answer 1

Nemo Noname 20

Good afternoon!

Thank you for your response and assistance!

Unfortunately, you are describing a straightforward scenario, and your suggestions do not help.

The issue was first noticed on August 5, 2025, on my main computer running Windows 11 24H2.

Prior to August 5, 2025, everything worked correctly. No changes were made to permissions, links, browsers, or their settings.

Later, I tried performing the same actions on another computer of mine running Windows 10, as well as on a friend’s computer running Windows 11.

The same issue occurs on all devices.

When opening the files in the desktop version of Excel, the links update correctly.

For compatibility with Excel Online, no scripts, macros, or add-ins are used.

The error appears specifically on the Excel Online web page.

Today, an interesting behavior was observed:

If I change the region setting in the Excel Online file synchronization for that file starts working again.

However, if I close the file and reopen it, synchronization stops working — and I need to change the region again to restore it. The specific region selected does not matter — any region works.

Please help me fully resolve this issue.

BillC 10 Reputation points

2025-08-08T06:26:43.12+00:00

Ha, I tried changing regions and it restored the links. I guess we are both in the same boat!
Claudia Bianchi 5 Reputation points

2025-08-10T23:50:07.73+00:00

Ha, I tried changing regions and it restored the links. I guess we are both in the same boat!
Freethinker 20 Reputation points

2025-08-11T04:00:47.75+00:00

Modifying the regional settings within the Excel Online file provided a temporary resolution to the issue until the file was closed. Upon reopening the file, the same error message, “Server Error,” was encountered. When I downloaded the file to my desktop, the link files were updated upon closing and reopening the desktop on the cloud. My files remained linked and updated as long as I maintained the file open. However, the same error message, “Server Error,” was displayed after closing and reopening the file.
Marco Parolini 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T14:03:49.43+00:00

same problem here and same temporal solution applied
Freethinker 20 Reputation points

2025-08-11T15:07:40.7166667+00:00

Modifying the regional settings within the Excel Online file provided a temporary resolution to the issue until the file was closed. Upon reopening the file, the same error message, “Server Error,” was encountered. When I downloaded the file to my desktop, the link files were updated upon closing and reopening the desktop on the cloud. My files remained linked and updated as long as I maintained the file open. However, the same error message, “Server Error,” was displayed after closing and reopening the file.
Freethinker 20 Reputation points

2025-08-11T15:13:32.42+00:00

My observations, when changing regions, except for the United States, other regions have different spellings. I also noticed changing regions may/will replace a period (.) with a comma (,) in calculations - this has not affected the results - but looks odd.
Freethinker 20 Reputation points

2025-08-11T15:35:45.2466667+00:00

When I contacted and spoke to Microsoft support, he had be record my attempting to update the Excel file links, which included the error messages - Unable to update & “Server Error”. I sent that recording to Microsoft support advance team. I received an email back in the early hours of the morning- stating that had not heard from me and where closing my case:-(

Answer 2

Deleted

This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Comments have been turned off. Learn more

Answer 3

Hello Freethinker. The error message "Unable to Refresh: We couldn't get updated values from a linked workbook" means Excel cannot reach the source workbook that was linked to your current file when they are both on OneDrive. Usually, this issue is caused by an invalid or stale file path, not having permission to the source workbook, or Excel for the web not supporting dynamic links between our workbooks.

To fix, both the source and destination workbooks should exist on accessible OneDrive locations, and you have permission to view and edit the source workbook. Try opening both files in Excel desktop since the desktop application has full support for external links and refreshing links. Lastly, check the file path in your formulas to make sure the links are correct and you have not moved or renamed the source workbook.

Please refer to this article which is similar with your case: Unable To Refresh: We couldn't get updated values from a linked workbook

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Best regards,

Nemo Noname 20 Reputation points

2025-08-06T13:00:42.6733333+00:00

Since August 5, 2025, synchronization between Excel Online files has stopped working.

The .xlsx files are stored on OneDrive.

The issue affects many users.

When attempting to refresh links, the following errors occur:

→ "Server error"

→ "We couldn't get this value due to a server error"

Clearing cookies and cache does not help.

Please help resolve this issue!

An urgent solution is required!

Thank you!

Answer 4

CameronWhyte 0

File > Options > Regional Settings > set it to English (United Kingdom).

Got everything working for me again!

*Note: as others have stated, this was only a temporary solution

Share via

One Drive Excel files are not updating with my other linked excel files

4 answers

Your answer