Trouble Deleting A DataLink

[olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z]

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. 

[pendean · Accepted solution]

have you seen this from Autodesk on the topic yet
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/AutoCAD-Unable-to-...

HTH

[Kent1Cooper]

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

[R_Tweed]

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 (plaseholder) and select ok.. make sure you select ok to close out.

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

[olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z]

It worked! Thank you so much. Crazy

[olszewski_lukasz7PY8Z]

It worked. Finally. Thank you so much

[sfreemancad]

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...

[R_Tweed]

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..