*.xls: file format is not valid

[RoyKelly]

I have a client who has saved many files from PC to floppy and CDR and have been trying to open it on laptop. On laptop they receive error message: "*.xls: file format is not valid."

They have three desktops and one laptop, with quite a mix.

The desktops -
- Windows 95 with Excel 5.0
- Windows 95 with Excel 7.0
- Windows XP with Excel 2000

The laptop is Windows 98 SE with Excel 5.0

They can creat a file on the laptop and read it on all machines. Any file created/modified on any of the destops can be read by all the desktops, but not by the laptop.

They emailed me a file, and I have no problem opening it on any of my machines. They are sending me a CDR to check, but while I'm waiting, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this.

[EzyStvy]

Programs like Excel are backwards compatible but not the other way…Go to the original machine and do “save as” and you should see and older Excel version option. Might possible lose some info..

[RoyKelly]

I shouild have been clear.... they are saving their files as Excel 5.0 files on all machines.

Thanks for the reply EzyStvy. I had already thought of that.

[andyms18a]

try downloading the excel reader from microsoft and install on the laptop all so try reinstaling office on the laptop
can the laptop read the flopy saved files but not the cdrw ones as some old cd rom drives have problams reading new cdrw disks

[sdkfz]

my manager had this problem on his wortk PC, ITtried several items and finally just wiped and reinstaled office. That did work. What was most strange was it was not all excel files that where affected, in his case only e mailed files (throgh lotus notes) were unreadable.

[RoyKelly]

I suggested they reinstall Office on the laptop, as this is the only one affected. They haven't gotten back to me yet, so will see. Thanks for the help Guys!