Question : Broken Hyperlinks in Excel

Ok this is going to be a bit confusing, so please follow carefully as I have tried many different tests to narrow down the issue.

I have a user who was complaining about broken Hyperlinks, although the file being linked to had not been moved and can still be opened fine.

I created a new spreadsheet to do some testing.  This is what I found.

1.  I inserted a hyperlink to \\server1\Data\Marketing, General\Corporate\ssantal.pdf and it works fine.  I did this by browsing, not typing the address in.

2.  I save the file locally and open it again and it works fine.

3.  If I save the file to the network at \\server1\Data\Admin, Sales\reception files\forms and open it, and try the link, I get the message "the address of the site is not valid.  Check the address and try again".  

4.  Since I know the address is valid, I checked the properties of the hyperlink and it has changed
FROM -  \\server1\Data\Marketing, General\Corporate\ssantal.pdf  
TO - ../../../../Data/Marketing, General/Corporate/ssantal.pdf

5.  I decided to create a new spreadsheet, hyperlink to a different document on the network and save the file in a different location on the network.  When I reopen it, the exact same thing happens.  If I save it locally and open it, all is fine.

I doubt this problem is going to be solved, but if so, I will give as many points as you want.

Thanks guys for all the help in the past and for trying this one.

Answer : Broken Hyperlinks in Excel

Here some information about UNC:

Windows Explorer Cannot Access Subst UNC Path
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;246887

RESOLUTION
To work around this behavior, use the net use command to map the drive letter to the UNC path.
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Microsoft Windows 2000 Server.

or
OFF2000: How to Force UNC or Mapped Drive Path to Office Network Source
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;228574

regards,

jeroen