i see. that explains a lot hahaaha. without it though, i get a "Cannot Open Specified File" error.
adding the hash and quotations is currently the only way i can SORT OF get the hyperlink to work because at least it's leading me to the correct cell.

i just need to figure out how to drag down so the cell references also update to A7, A8, A9, etc etc.

EDIT: or if i can just get the hyperlink to work... that would be even better! haha :D