topic Re: Mr. in AutoCAD Forum

Trouble Deleting A DataLink

olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 18:31:31 GMT

Hey everyone,

I’m having trouble deleting a data link to an external Excel file. I can’t see where it is in thr file, and despite my efforts, it remains in the drawing.

Here’s what I’ve tried:

Deleted all objects, layers, and layouts from the drawing, leaving only layer 0.
Used EXPLODE, PURGE, and AUDIT.
Checked the Data Link Manager and it shows the Excel file as "unreferenced."
Attempted to delete it from the DATALINK window, but it says "You can't delete because the file is in use."

Additionally, when I use QSELECT, it indicates that there are no objects to select. However, whenever I copy anything from this drawing to another file, the Excel reference is still imported to new file.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this issue?

Thanks in advance for your help.

@olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z -Moderation Team has changed the heading for more clarity.

Re: Mr.

pendean — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 17:32:49 GMT

have you seen this from Autodesk on the topic yet
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/AutoCAD-Unable-to-remove-or-delete-DATALINK-in-AutoCAD-2018.html

HTH

Re: Mr.

Kent1Cooper — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 17:37:03 GMT

You don't mention this, so just in case.... Can you right-click on it in the Xref manager [your image] and choose Detach?

Re: Trouble Deleting A DataLink

R_Tweed — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:56:28 GMT

1. Make a new temporary xlsx and save it in a known location. You will re-path your dead link to this file.

2. type datalink and edit the offending datalink, choose new path and file from step 1

4. link to range a1:b2 (placeholder) and select ok.. select ok to close.

5.type datalink and you should be able to delete the datalink reference.

Re: Mr.

olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 21:02:06 GMT

It worked! Thank you so much. Crazy

Re: Mr.

olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 21:02:37 GMT

It worked. Finally. Thank you so much

Re: Mr.

sfreemancad — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:20:05 GMT

not only does this not work for me, i have examples where the excel spreadsheet is still in use to right click a cell and select to de link, then deleting the table, and then the datalink, i save reopen STILL THEIR, this is so frustrating that civil3d has this issue still...

Re: Trouble Deleting A DataLink

R_Tweed — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:03:37 GMT

Could you save your dwg as another name, delete everything except your table and upload for review? I would think the broken link would remain and we would be able to maybe walk through the problem in C3d..

Re: Trouble Deleting A DataLink

hrharding — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:41:33 GMT

I've had the same issue so try this:

1. Select all cells in the table, right click, select Locking>Unlocked.

2. Go into EXTERNAL REFERENCES, select the data file and change the make the file path to absolute (it the 3rd from left drop down at the top). Do not close the window.

3. Go back to the table and reselect all cells , right click, select Data Link.

4. Select the data link, right click, select delete, then left-click the OK button at the bottom of the window.

5. If the OK button is greyed-out, closes the Data Link Window, purge the drawing, and repeat 1-4.