XL97: "File Format Not Valid" Appears Opening Routed Workbook (163102)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q163102

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to open an attached file is routed to you in an e-mail message, you may receive the following message
<filename>: file format is not valid
where <filename> is the name of the file you are trying to open.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

  • The file is sent to you using the routing slip feature in a version of Microsoft Excel that is newer than the version you are using. -and-

  • You attempt to open the file in a version of Microsoft Excel that is earlier than the version of Microsoft Excel from which file is routed.

RESOLUTION

In order to use the routing features of Microsoft Excel, route from the same version of Excel in which the recipients are using. If you only want to send the workbook to all recipients at once without tracking or notification of returning, just save the workbook in the file type that the recipient's version of Microsoft Excel will recognize and attach the file to an e-mail message and send it.

Method 1: Use the Same Version of Excel

To work around this problem, use the same version of Microsoft Excel from which the file is routed. This way the routing features can be used.

Method 2: Manually Send an E-mail Attachment

If your goal is to route the workbook to all recipients at once, not to track status, and not to return the workbook to you when done (all the advanced features of Microsoft Excel Routing), follow the steps below:

  1. Click Save As from the File menu and click the appropriate file format from the Save as type dropdown list.
  2. Change the file name in the File name edit box to avoid replacing your original file and click Save. Note the folder where the file is saved.
  3. Start your e-mail program.
  4. Open a new message in your e-mail program. This step will vary according to the e-mail program (e.g. In Microsoft Windows Messaging, click New Message from the Compose menu).
  5. Attach the workbook to the new message. This step will vary according to the e-mail program (e.g. In Microsoft Windows Messaging, click File from the Insert menu and find the file and click OK).
  6. Type your text, specify the recipients, and send the message.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When you route a workbook in Microsoft Excel, the workbook is always routed in the workbook format for the version of Microsoft Excel you are using. For example, if you route a workbook using Microsoft Excel 97, the workbook is sent using the Microsoft Excel 97 format.

Example

For example, assume you route a workbook to a group of users and you are running Microsoft Excel 97. The following table lists the users that appear on the routing slip and the versions of Microsoft Excel they are using: 
    User   Version
   --------------------------

   John   Microsoft Excel 97
   Mary   Microsoft Excel 7.0
   Sue    Microsoft Excel 7.0
   Tom    Microsoft Excel 97
   Dave   Microsoft Excel 7.0
John and Tom can open the routed workbook, save changes, and route the workbook to the next user. However, Mary, Sue, and Dave cannot open the file. They receive the error message described in this article.

REFERENCES

For more information about creating a routing slip, click Contents And Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

routing slips

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Creating a routing slip" topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/22/2000
Keywords:kbprb kbualink97 KB163102
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.