OFF2001: You Are Unable to Open Office 2001 Documents in Windows (302612)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2001 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2001 for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q302612

SYMPTOMS

When you transfer a file created in Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac to a Microsoft Windows-based computer, the file may not open as expected when you double-click its icon.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur because any file stored on a Macintosh volume has two parts, or forks: a resource fork and a data fork. This file structure is unique to the Macintosh.

The resource fork of a program file normally contains all of the resources that the program uses, including the program code. Resources are specially formatted pieces of data. Examples of resources include fonts, icons, menus, and dialog boxes.

The data fork can contain information created by the program, or it can be empty. Many documents created by programs use the data fork to store the document contents. For example, text entered in a word processor is stored in the document's data fork.

Two other resources, the File Type and Creator Type, are stored in the resource fork of a Macintosh file. These resources specify which program created the file and the specific type of file. Windows-based computers do not recognize the Macintosh resource fork and, therefore, cannot determine which program created the file.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, save the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2001 file with the appropriate three-letter file-name extension.
  1. In a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2001 file, click Save As on the File menu.
  2. Type a new file name in the Name box or use the default name, and then click to select the Append file extension check box.
  3. Click Save. If prompted, replace the original file.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, open the file from within the program rather than double-clicking directly on the file icon. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Start Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for Windows.
  2. Click Open on the File menu.
  3. Change the selection in Files of Type to All Files (*.*).
  4. Select the file in the file list, and then click the Open button.

MORE INFORMATION

Common file extensions for Word for Windows include .doc (Word document), .dot (Word template), .rtf (Rich Text Format document), and .txt (Text document).

Common file extensions for Excel for Windows include .xls (Excel workbook), .xlt (Excel template), and .csv (Comma delimited document).

Common file extensions for PowerPoint for Windows include .ppt (PowerPoint presentation), .pot (Powerpoint Designer template), .mov (PowerPoint movie), and .pps (PowerPoint show).
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB302612
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.