XL: Cannot Open Workbook When Dependent Worksheet Is Open

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you open a workbook or worksheet in Microsoft Excel version 4.0, if the worksheet has been saved from Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you may receive one of the following error messages and you may not be unable to open the workbook.

   Microsoft Excel for Windows
   ---------------------------

   A document with that name is a supporting document. Workbooks can't be
   supporting documents.

   Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh
   ---------------------------------

   Workbooks cannot be supporting documents.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if a formula in the current worksheet (dependent document) contains a formula with a link to a workbook (source document) that has been saved from Microsoft Excel version 5.0, and the link is to a worksheet with the same name as the workbook it is contained in. In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, when you save a workbook as a Microsoft Excel version 4.0 workbook or worksheet that contains a link to another worksheet, the link may be saved with only the workbook in the reference if the source worksheet has the same name as the workbook it is contained in. For example, the reference

   =[SALES.XLW]Sales!$A$1 (in Windows)

   ='C:\EXCEL\SALES.XLW'!$A$1

In Microsoft Excel 4.0, when the worksheet with this link is open, you will be unable to open the workbook that the link is referring to.

WORKAROUND

In order to open both a source workbook and a dependent worksheet that have been saved in the Microsoft Excel version 4.0 format, do either of the following:

• If Microsoft Excel version 5.0 is available, open the workbook that contains the worksheet with the same name, and rename the worksheet.

      -or-
  

• If Microsoft Excel version 5.0 is not available, change the link on the dependent file by doing the following:

      1. In Microsoft Excel version 4.0, open the dependent worksheet. Choose
         No to update references to unopened documents.
  

      2. From the File menu, choose Links.
  

      3. From the Links list, choose the link to the source workbook and
         choose Change. From the File Name list, choose the source workbook
         and choose OK.
  

      4. From the Select The Bound Document list, choose the source
         worksheet. In the Links dialog box, choose Close.