How to Delete “Not Found” Data Link in AutoCAD ( 4 fixes )

How to Delete “Not Found” Data Link in AutoCAD

If you’re opening a drawing in AutoCAD and getting a persistent “Update drawing references” prompt or a warning about a “not found” data link, you’re not alone. This issue often crops up in large project sets shared between multiple teams—especially when links to Excel tables or external files were set up and later lost.

In most cases, the DATALINK Manager won’t even show the problematic link, making it frustrating to locate and delete. Whether the link is buried in an xref, embedded in a table style, or left over from a block, this guide will walk you through every working method to delete a not found data link in AutoCAD—step by step.

Let’s fix it properly.

Table of Contents

1. Why You See “Not Found” Data Link Errors

2. Fix 1: Use DATALINK from Parent Xref

3. Fix 2: Delete Unused Table Styles

4. Fix 3: Use Command Line Versions

5. Fix 4: Audit with Data Extraction or Purge

6. Fix 5: Use Autodesk’s Clean File Tools

7. Key Takeaways

Why You See “Not Found” Data Link Errors

When you open an AutoCAD drawing and get prompted to “Update drawing references” due to a missing or “not found” data link, it usually means the drawing contains:

• External Excel or database links (via DATALINK)

• Links embedded in xref files

• Unused table styles that retain the data link

• Leftover metadata from blocks or templates

These data links can persist even after you think you’ve removed them — especially in large project files or blocks copied between teams.

Fix 1: Use DATALINK from Parent Xref

If your drawing contains xrefs, the invisible data link might not be in the current drawing but inside the parent xref.

Steps:

1. Open the xref file directly (not the host drawing).

2. Type DATALINK in the command line.

3. In the Data Link Manager, select the unwanted link.

4. Click Delete.

After saving and reloading the xref, the error should disappear.

Fix 2: Delete Unused Table Styles

Sometimes, the data link is embedded in a table style—especially if it was originally created by copying from another file.

Steps:

1. Type TABLESTYLE and open the Table Style dialog.

2. Look for any custom styles not in use (especially those from consultants or architects).

3. Select them and click Delete.

4. Then go to DATALINK again and try to delete the link.

Fix 3: Use Command Line Versions

In some versions of AutoCAD, the DATALINK dialog hides certain options. Try using the command-line approach instead.

Option A:

• Type -DATALINK (with the dash)

• Choose the delete option

• Enter the link name manually

Option B:

If -DATALINK doesn’t help, try typing DL instead — this is an alias in some custom setups that opens a more responsive version of the Data Link Manager.

Fix 4: Audit with Data Extraction or Purge

If you can’t locate the data link through the interface, try scanning your drawing for residual objects.

Steps:

1. Use DATAEXTRACTION to generate a report of all table and link objects.

2. Run PURGE and -PURGE with the “regapps” and “nested items” options.

3. Use AUDIT to clean errors in the drawing database.

These tools can reveal or remove elements that reference the missing data link.

Fix 5: Use Autodesk’s Clean File Tools

Steps:

• Download and install the Drawing Purge Add-in (compatible with multiple versions)

• Run the D

• WG Purge command

• Select all related files and clean up embedded data links

This is especially useful when you’re working with large drawing packages from external teams.

Key Takeaways

• Always check xref files first — data links often come from there.

• Unused table styles can carry hidden links. Delete them to unlock the datalink.

• Use -DATALINK or command aliases (DL) if the dialog doesn’t work.

• Try PURGE, AUDIT, or Autodesk’s Drawing Purge Utility  for a deeper cleanup.

• Clean your drawing before inserting it into templates or distributing it to avoid spreading broken links.

Related Resources

• How to create a table in AutoCAD and link it to Excel

• Buy AutoCAD Products