Check if Workbook contains hidden External Links with C++

Possible Usage Scenarios

Sometimes, the workbook contains external links which are hidden and cannot be viewed in Microsoft Excel. Aspose.Cells retrieves all the external links whether they are visible or hidden. However, you can check the ExternalLink.IsVisible property to check if the external link is visible or not.

Check if Workbook contains hidden External Links

The following sample code loads the source excel file which contains hidden external links. These links cannot be viewed in Microsoft Excel but they are present inside the workbook. After printing ExternalLink.GetDataSource() and ExternalLink.IsReferred property, it prints the ExternalLink.IsVisible property. In the console output below, you see, all of its external links are not visible.

Sample Code

#include <iostream>
#include "Aspose.Cells.h"

using namespace Aspose::Cells;

int main()
{
    Aspose::Cells::Startup();

    // Source directory path
    U16String srcDir(u"..\\Data\\01_SourceDirectory\\");

    // Loads the workbook which contains hidden external links
    Workbook workbook(srcDir + u"sample.xlsx");

    // Access the external link collection of the workbook
    ExternalLinkCollection links = workbook.GetWorksheets().GetExternalLinks();

    // Print all the external links and check their IsVisible property
    for (int i = 0; i < links.GetCount(); i++)
    {
        ExternalLink link = links.Get(i);
        std::cout << "Data Source: " << link.GetDataSource().ToUtf8() << std::endl;
        std::cout << "Is Visible: " << (link.IsVisible() ? "true" : "false") << std::endl;
        std::cout << std::endl;
    }

    Aspose::Cells::Cleanup();
}

Console Output

Here is the console output of the above sample code when executed with the given sample excel file.

Data Source: C:\International\DDB\FAS 133\Swap Rates\GS_1M_3M_1_2_5_¥$_(B)IRSwaps_0400.xls

Is Referred: True

Is Visible: False

Data Source: C:\DIST DAY\MAY TEMPLATES\030601t.xls

Is Referred: True

Is Visible: False

Data Source: C:\AREVIEW\2002 Controllable\Autobrct.xls

Is Referred: True

Is Visible: False

Data Source: C:\CARDSFO\Main Files\Rate Forecast\FY 11\IFR 11 01 (New Model REPORTS 11.08.07).xls

Is Referred: True

Is Visible: False