Excel 2007 – Unable to Read File Error Message

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I have a weird one with a user this morning. A large Excel file (xls format) that opens succesfully on other PC’s including my own has issues on one PC. The user gets an error dialog box that says “Unable to Read File”. When OK is clicked the file does open, but the results in some columns that contain formulas are not correct. There are many formulas, vlookups, etc., but no macros in the file.

The same file, it’s save on a network, can be opened successfully on other PC’s including my own. I’m at a loss as to what to do. Wouldn’t the file be unreadable on all PC’s if corrupt? Also, wouldn’t the user see the same results in other spreadsheets if Excel were corrupt or damaged on his PC? He can open all other Excel files without issue.

How do I troubleshoot this one? Thanks.

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I would get this User to log on to another PC and try and load the suspect file.
If the User has the same problem on a different PC, then the issue is related to the User.
If another person on another PC does NOT have the problem with the file, get them to log on to the PC that does have the problem.
The idea is to isolate the problem as being related to the specific User OR the specific PC.
Then we can proceed to work out what needs to be done next.

zeddy

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Prior to reading your post, I did some further testing–the problem ended up being user profile related. I’ve deleted his profile and am waiting for him to return from sick leave. Am confident that the problem will be resolved. Another user can open the same file without problems on the suspect PC. So that led to the assumption that it was profile related, not software or file related. I’ll post once I have verified that the user can access the file successfully, Judy

Please note, the user returned to the office and was able to open the spreadsheet and all cells displayed correctly–the problem was resolved, likely was a registry issue with the old profile because I copied most of the App Data info into the new profile. Judy

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