Unknown XL file (2000)

[AlanMiller]

I had some problems with some Access files, supposedly for 2000, but turned out to be 2002/3. In the same package, I received the attached Excel file, which also won't open in Excel 2000. Francois Caron (WMVP) also verified that it wouldn't open in 2002/3. I'm hoping somebody here might be able to tell me what it's problem is, and more importantly, how to open/ view/ convert or whatever, into a readable form.

Thanks for any advice

Alan

[HansV]

My Excel 2002 complains about the file, then opens a "repaired" version with the warning that some data may have been lost. For what it's worth, I have attached the repaired version.

[AlanMiller]

Excellent, thank you Hans. I presume you resaved for XL2000, since I can open it here. Comparing with the readable data in a hex editor, it would appear that nothing has been lost in the way of content. Maybe some formatting or similar, but all of the data seems to be intact. I must say that I won't be recommending the publishers responsible for these files, despite the rather good book that they accompany.

thanks for your help (as always)

Alan

[HansV]

I didn't do anything special. The Excel file format hasn't changed since Excel 97, so workbooks made in Excel 97, 2000, 2002 and 2003 can be exchanged freely, except that specific features from newer versions will be ignored if the workbook is opened in an older version.

[AlanMiller]

Glad to see something hasn't changed. <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

cheers

Alan