Check if Workbook contains hidden External Links with JavaScript via 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.

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.dataSource 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

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Aspose.Cells Example - External Links</title>
    </head>
    <body>
        <h1>External Links Example</h1>
        <input type="file" id="fileInput" accept=".xls,.xlsx,.csv" />
        <button id="runExample">Run Example</button>
        <a id="downloadLink" style="display: none;">Download Result</a>
        <div id="result" style="white-space: pre-wrap; margin-top: 1em;"></div>
    </body>

    <script src="aspose.cells.js.min.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        const { Workbook, SaveFormat, Worksheet, Cell, Utils } = AsposeCells;
        
        AsposeCells.onReady({
            license: "/lic/aspose.cells.enc",
            fontPath: "/fonts/",
            fontList: [
                "arial.ttf",
                "NotoSansSC-Regular.ttf"
            ]
        }).then(() => {
            console.log("Aspose.Cells initialized");
        });

        document.getElementById('runExample').addEventListener('click', async () => {
            const fileInput = document.getElementById('fileInput');
            if (!fileInput.files.length) {
                document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = '<p style="color: red;">Please select an Excel file.</p>';
                return;
            }

            const file = fileInput.files[0];
            const arrayBuffer = await file.arrayBuffer();

            // Instantiating a Workbook object by loading the selected file
            const workbook = new Workbook(new Uint8Array(arrayBuffer));

            // Access the external link collection of the workbook
            const links = workbook.worksheets.externalLinks;

            // Print all the external links and check their IsVisible property
            let output = '';
            for (let i = 0; i < links.count; i++) {
                const link = links.get(i);
                output += "Data Source: " + link.dataSource + "\n";
                output += "Is Referred: " + link.isReferred + "\n";
                output += "Is Visible: " + link.isVisible + "\n\n";

                console.log("Data Source: " + link.dataSource);
                console.log("Is Referred: " + link.isReferred);
                console.log("Is Visible: " + link.isVisible);
                console.log();
            }

            document.getElementById('result').textContent = output || 'No external links found.';
        });
    </script>
</html>

Console Output

  
 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