Can't open excel files saved to memory stick / CD

[BCR]

Unsure if this is (fully) a hardware / software problem ... but here's the scenario :

Since saving Contacts from Outlook Express on old PC as a .csv file & subsequently saving it as an Excel file (.xlsx), Excel files now saved on my most used memory stick won’t open. (In fact, I’d previously saved these 2 files for the Contacts to a ‘’cheapie’’ stick.)

Have tried (re)formatting the (newer) stick a few times – in the process, obviously losing numerous Word, Excel & PDF files previously saved to the stick – but same error message appears, each time I try opening an Excel file :

‘’There was a problem sending the command to the program’’

It doesn’t matter whether the file is saved as .xls or .xlsx, and only Excel files are affected. Word & PDF files open from the stick without problem
.
I’ve also saved all Word, Excel & PDF files to a CD, and the same thing happens – Word & PDF open, Excel comes up with the same error message. All 3 types of files open from the computer’s Documents with no errors, either.

So, there now seems to be an inherent problem with Excel opening, when saved to either CD / stick.

I’m almost sure that the .csv file caused the problem, but does anyone know how I can get rid of this bug ?

 

[kingrob]

Try this :

1.Open Excel 2007/2010.
2.Open the Menu in the top left
3.Click the "Excel Options" button
4.Click the advanced tab on the left of the options screen
5.Under the general options uncheck the box "Ignore other application that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)"

Now try to open the Excel document again.

 

[ChilliGirl]

if the file was saved in 2007 & you're trying to view in 2003 it wont open. You'll have to save as 2003 on a 2007 office pack.

Have you tried saving the email's pst file & moving that instead? Remember to show hidden files & folders first.

 

[Dan C]

Try this :

1.Open Excel 2007/2010.
2.Open the Menu in the top left
3.Click the "Excel Options" button
4.Click the advanced tab on the left of the options screen
5.Under the general options uncheck the box "Ignore other application that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)"

Now try to open the Excel document again.

Yes, that should work.

 

[BCR]

kingrob, your instructions worked 100% - finally, I believe in miracles !

ChilliGirl, thanks also. I'd only mentioned .xls as I'd saved in that format, to test. Wasn't using Office / Excel 2003 at all, so everything was within 2007.

Rgds.

 

[kingrob]

kingrob, your instructions worked 100% - finally, I believe in miracles !

ChilliGirl, thanks also. I'd only mentioned .xls as I'd saved in that format, to test. Wasn't using Office / Excel 2003 at all, so everything was within 2007.

Rgds.

Glad I could help.

Enjoy!