WPS Sheets Collaboration Mode Cross-Workbook Reference Feature Guide

Feature Summary

Cross-workbook reference allows users to reference cell or range data from other spreadsheet files (such as another cloud document or local workbook) in a cell formula within the current workbook, enabling data linkage and cross-file aggregation.

Feature Description

Feature Dimension	Description
Membership Restriction	No membership restriction
Version Restriction	No version restriction

Operation Steps

Method 1: Enter = in the formula bar to trigger automatically

Feature Entry
Select a cell and enter = in the formula bar

1. Enter = in a cell of the current workbook
2. A prompt will automatically appear below the formula bar: "Reference data from another spreadsheet"
3. Click the prompt link to enter the cross-workbook reference file selection interface

Method 2: "Formulas" tab → Cross-workbook Reference

Feature Entry
"Formulas" tab → "Cross-workbook Reference" → "Insert Cross-workbook Reference"

1. Click the top "Formulas" tab
2. Find the "Cross-workbook Reference" button in the toolbar
3. Click the dropdown arrow and select "Insert Cross-workbook Reference"
4. After selecting the file, enter the cell range you want to reference in the top "Select Reference Range" input box, or drag to select it in the spreadsheet
5. After confirming the reference range, click the "Insert Reference" button
6. The reference formula is automatically filled into the current cell, and the cell displays the data result from the reference source

Modify Cross-workbook Reference

Feature Entry
"Formulas" tab → "Cross-workbook Reference" → "Modify Cross-workbook Reference"

1. Click the "Cross-workbook Reference" button in the "Formulas" tab
2. Select "Modify Cross-workbook Reference" from the dropdown menu
3. A list of existing cross-workbook references in the current workbook will pop up
4. Select the reference item you need to modify, and change the target file or reference range
5. Click "OK" to complete the modification

Update References

Feature Entry
"Formulas" tab → "Cross-workbook Reference" → "Update References"

1. Click the "Cross-workbook Reference" button in the "Formulas" tab
2. Select "Update References" from the dropdown menu
3. The system automatically refreshes all cross-workbook references and synchronizes the latest data from the source files

FAQ

Q1: What should I do if it prompts that the file cannot be found when referencing another spreadsheet?

• Solution: Cross-workbook references require that the file path is valid and the current user has access permissions.

Q2: Can cross-workbook reference reference non-spreadsheet files?

• Solution: Cross-workbook reference can only reference spreadsheet format files that support data reading (such as .xlsx, .csv). It does not support referencing non-spreadsheet format files such as text documents (.docx) or presentations (.pptx).

Q3: What should I do if the cross-workbook referenced data does not update automatically?

• Solution: In cloud document collaboration scenarios, cross-workbook referenced data usually synchronizes automatically with the latest values from the source file. If you find the data has not updated, you can manually execute "Formulas" tab → "Cross-workbook Reference" → "Update References" to refresh. For local file references, you need to open the source file and then manually refresh.

Notes

1. Cross-workbook reference only supports spreadsheet files that have been saved in cloud documents. Newly created, unsaved files cannot be referenced.
2. If the referenced source file is deleted or moved, the reference relationship will be broken, and the cell will display an error value.
3. For files in "Team Documents", ensure that the current user has access permissions; otherwise, they cannot be referenced.