Use the Break workbook links action to remove one or all external workbook links from a Microsoft Excel file. This helps streamline file management and eliminates dependencies on external sources.

Note: This action is currently supported for only the Excel automations running on macOS platform.

Previously, you had to rely on screen recording-based workarounds to manage workbook links, which were inefficient and prone to errors. With the introduction of this action, you can simplify and automate link removal, thereby improving reliability and performance in Excel-based workflows.

Considerations

An error is displayed if one of the following conditions are encountered when you deploy your automation to break workbook links in a Microsoft Excel file:
  • The session name that you have specified is invalid or does not exist.
  • If the workbook that you have specified does not have any source workbook links.
  • If the workbook link that you have specified is invalid or does not exist.

Settings

  • Use the Session name field to select one of the following tabs to specify the name of the Excel session provided using the Open action:
    • Session name: Enter the name you gave the session when you opened it. You can also click the Insert a value icon to select a variable or global value that you have used to store the Excel session name.
    • Variable: Select an existing variable that you have used to store the Excel session name.
  • Use the Break workbook links field to select one of the following radio buttons:
    • Specific: To specify the name of the workbook link that must be broken.
      Note: Ensure that you enter the full file path of the workbook link to be broken. For example, /Users/loaner/Documents/Book1.xlsx ..
    • All: To break all the existing workbook links in the Excel file.
  • Click the Assign the output to variable drop-down menu to select an existing variable to store the number of workbook links successfully broken.

    (Optional) Click the Create variable icon if you want to create a variable.

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