linking in data from a file

users
#1

AllI have an analysis spreadsheet that pulls data from sheets of
      several other spreadsheets.Under StarOffice, the technique I
      used was to open both spreadsheets, do a copy of the data in the
      source spreadsheet, go to a blank sheet in the receiving
      spreadsheet and do a paste-special with "link" specified.Under
      staroffice, when ever opened the receiving spreadsheet, it would
      automatically pull in the new data from the source spreadsheet
      even when the source spreadsheet was not open.Switch to LO and it will not link to the external data unless the
      source spreadsheet is open.I need to be able to link with out
      the source spreadsheet being open.Is there something I am doing
      wrong?A better way?I have many spreadsheets set up this way,
      so forcing a change will be painful.I have tried link to external data, but my experience(a bit
      stale, admittedly) was that if the region in the source
      spreadsheet grew since the original link was established, it did
      not pick up the newer data.greg

#2

Gregory Smith - Oracle Sparc Verification wrote:

All
I have an analysis spreadsheet that pulls data from sheets of
       several other spreadsheets.Under StarOffice, the technique I
       used was to open both spreadsheets, do a copy of the data in the
       source spreadsheet, go to a blank sheet in the receiving
       spreadsheet and do a paste-special with "link" specified.Under
       staroffice, when ever opened the receiving spreadsheet, it would
       automatically pull in the new data from the source spreadsheet
       even when the source spreadsheet was not open.Switch to LO and it will not link to the external data unless the
       source spreadsheet is open.I need to be able to link with out
       the source spreadsheet being open.Is there something I am doing
       wrong?A better way?

Check the setting Tools > Options > LibreOffice Calc > General > Update links when opening.

It should be possible to update the data on demand through Edit > Links... > Update.

I have many spreadsheets set up this way,
       so forcing a change will be painful.I have tried link to external data, but my experience(a bit
       stale, admittedly) was that if the region in the source
       spreadsheet grew since the original link was established, it did
       not pick up the newer data.

You copied a range of cells and pasted them as linked, so only those cells are linked. Data added to the source sheet outside of that range won't be copied across.

You probably need to use Insert > Sheet From File and select the "Link" option, to get the whole sheet and its contents. Don't add other info, formulas etc. to the imported sheet - it's content is completely replaced when updated so you'd lose your additions. Instead, the data can be referenced by formulas on other (non-linked) sheets.

Mark.