Missing/Corrupt Data (Excel XP)

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A co-worker inadvertently opened a .xls file in Word. I am not exactly sure what was done with the file before I was called in. When we try to open the .xls file we get an error message saying the .xls file is an invalid file. I experimented with importing that file and/or the data from it into some other programs (Access, even Word). It appears to be an empty file. It now seems that I have a Word document called name.xls.doc That file of course has none of the formulas that I need. Is there a way to recover the .xls file? I can re-type the data in there but I know only the basics of Excel. Outside help created the formulas and I cannot recreate them. Any help is much appreciated.

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Your co-worker must have ignored several warnings – when trying to open an Excel spreadsheet in Word, the user gets a warning that the file has to be opened using the worksheet conversion program, and that this might constitute a security risk. The user must confirm this in a dialog in which “No” is the default button. Next is a dialog in which the user must specify whether the entire workbook is converted or a single worksheet. When trying to save the file, Word warns that the file will be saved in Word format. The user must confirm this in a dialog in which “No” is the default button, again.

Going back to the last good backup is the best you can do, I fear. You can still retrieve the data by opening the converted file in Word, copying tables to the clipboard and pasting them into a new Excel workbook. But all formulas are irretrievably lost, and the user may not have converted all worksheets.

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I was afraid that you would confirm just that. I think I already knew the answer but I wanted to ask because you folks know so much more than the average person sitting behind a desk and just clicking on things.

I have no idea how it happened but I it amazes me that she could have ignored so many messages. I think I will try some experiments at work tomorrow and see what happens. If by some odd chance she didn’t get those messages then I guess I should figure out why! I work in a small law office where we habitually work in Word. Unfortunately too many co-workers just click the open button, then call me and ask “why won’t this file open?” I think if I have to explain one more time how to open a pdf file I’m gonna start unplugging computers and ban certain people from them!! LOL

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I tried experiments with copies of the file. When I opened it from Word the only message I received was one asking if I wanted to open the entire workbook. On saving I did receive the ‘file will be saved as Word format’ but the default button to continue is yes. We’re using Office XP (some have SP1, only 1 has SP 2) and our server is Win2000. Could those messages be generated only in newer versions than ours? Or are we missing some security settings somewhere? As always, THANKS for your help.

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I’m using Word 2002 SP3, it might well be that this has tightened security.

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I’m using Word 2002 SP3, it might well be that this has tightened security.

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I tried experiments with copies of the file. When I opened it from Word the only message I received was one asking if I wanted to open the entire workbook. On saving I did receive the ‘file will be saved as Word format’ but the default button to continue is yes. We’re using Office XP (some have SP1, only 1 has SP 2) and our server is Win2000. Could those messages be generated only in newer versions than ours? Or are we missing some security settings somewhere? As always, THANKS for your help.

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I was afraid that you would confirm just that. I think I already knew the answer but I wanted to ask because you folks know so much more than the average person sitting behind a desk and just clicking on things.

I have no idea how it happened but I it amazes me that she could have ignored so many messages. I think I will try some experiments at work tomorrow and see what happens. If by some odd chance she didn’t get those messages then I guess I should figure out why! I work in a small law office where we habitually work in Word. Unfortunately too many co-workers just click the open button, then call me and ask “why won’t this file open?” I think if I have to explain one more time how to open a pdf file I’m gonna start unplugging computers and ban certain people from them!! LOL

Reply | Quote

Your co-worker must have ignored several warnings – when trying to open an Excel spreadsheet in Word, the user gets a warning that the file has to be opened using the worksheet conversion program, and that this might constitute a security risk. The user must confirm this in a dialog in which “No” is the default button. Next is a dialog in which the user must specify whether the entire workbook is converted or a single worksheet. When trying to save the file, Word warns that the file will be saved in Word format. The user must confirm this in a dialog in which “No” is the default button, again.

Going back to the last good backup is the best you can do, I fear. You can still retrieve the data by opening the converted file in Word, copying tables to the clipboard and pasting them into a new Excel workbook. But all formulas are irretrievably lost, and the user may not have converted all worksheets.

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