How to Link Data Between Two Excel Workbooks (Auto-Update Data Automatically!)

In this Excel tutorial, learn how to link employee data between TWO Excel workbooks — so your Active Employee list updates automatically whenever new employees are added or a status changes. This is perfect for HR and administrative teams who maintain one master employee database but need to share only a specific subset (like active employees or a department roster) with payroll, managers, or supervisors — without creating version control issues! ✅ In this video, you’ll learn how to: • Link data between Excel files using external references • Build a clean, auto-updating dataset without copy/paste • Use FILTER() to pull only Active employees • Keep one Master list while sharing a smaller “subset” sheet #ExcelTutorial #MicrosoftExcel #ExcelTips #ExcelForWork #ExcelFormulas #FILTERFunction #HRTips #HRAnalytics #OfficeProductivity ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro: Link two workbooks (Auto-updating Active Employee list) 00:13 Master employee database overview 01:24 Convert data to an Excel Table (Ctrl + T) 02:15 Use FILTER to pull Active employees (linked workbook) 05:34 Test the auto-update (status change + new hire) 07:36 Bonus tips (save in same folder + Refresh All) 🎓 FREE COURSE - How to Create Fillable Forms in Microsoft Word - A Step-by-Step Guide Create Fillable Forms, Surveys & Questionnaires in Microsoft Word like a Pro: https: https://youtu.be/438pCPCSuG4 📺 WATCH NEXT Create a Subscription Tracker in Excel: https://youtu.be/LP-g8VPV8dw Bump Files Like a Pro: https://youtu.be/I6DWQjNdcHU 📎 CHANNEL LINK https://www.youtube.com/@SharonSmith Visit my Channel page on YouTube to see all my videos, playlists, community posts and more! 📄 TEMPLATES Check out my helpful list of templates available for purchase: https://creatoriq.cc/43c51cv Thank you for supporting my channel! 🌟 ⬇️ FREE DOWNLOADS ✦ Visit https://mailchi.mp/6a0859ea0844/sharonsmithhrformulasdownload to sign-up for my e-mail list and get FREE downloads of super helpful spreadsheet formulas, dashboards and Org Chart templates for HR professionals. 👋 CONNECT WITH ME Visit my website: https://www.sharonsmithhr.com for more information, tools and resources. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonsmithhr Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonSmithHR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsmithlearning/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSmithLearning ⚙️ GEAR 🎙 Blue Yeti USB Microphone: https://amzn.to/2W4SbzV (Great for recording professional sounding audio for your videos!) 🖱 Silent Mouse: https://amzn.to/3pxpc25 (This is a really cool mouse!) 🎥 Screen Recording Software: https://techsmith.z6rjha.net/NZG5b 📗 Green Screen: https://amzn.to/2DnHsY2 📸 Camera: https://amzn.to/39KvpQA 🔌 Live Stream Tool: https://amzn.to/2VFJyID (Turns your DSLR into a top notch webcam) 📚 RESOURCES ✏️ JotForm: https://www.jotform.com/pricing/?utm_source=sharon-smith&utm_campaign=jf1&utm_medium=blog 🖥️ TechSmith Camtasia Screen Recording: https://techsmith.z6rjha.net/SharonSmithHR Links included here are affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting this channel! 🙌 SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL - Hit the "$Thanks" button on any video, or - Donate through my PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=AJJ6SXERNDMYA&source=url If you found this content helpful, please consider donating to my channel. Your donation, no matter what amount, is greatly appreciated and goes towards producing more content that enhances your productivity and elevates your skills. You can also support my channel just by watching, liking, and sharing all my videos! Thank you so much! ❤️ 🎥 PLAYLISTS ➤ Jotform Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb80efKTbWuO84pPbnHdTdgurmxHgZcyD ➤Creating Fillable Forms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YktZ3B-tyqs&list=PLb80efKTbWuOe1LfFMNExEabkRkB5ehcv ➤ Excel Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb80efKTbWuNjHDGgNeuGrGwOvh4JQC90 ➤ Excel Tips & Tricks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb80efKTbWuPI7fEWtroXHvJHhx5FnVMW ➤ Word Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb80efKTbWuMotoYEXBFMlB3PtsBlFn45