XL5: "File Format Not Valid" Error After Selecting File Type

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you open a version 5.0 workbook file by choosing the filename from the bottom of the File menu, you may receive the following error message:

   File format is not valid

   Cannot read this binary file. If the file was created in a version of
   Microsoft Excel later than 5.0, use that version to save it as a
   Microsoft Excel 5.0 file. Open file as text?

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if you have recently selected Microsoft Multiplan (*.*) or Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 or 5 (*.wk4) from the List Files Of Type list in the Open dialog box. If you have selected one of these file converters in the Open dialog box, even if you don't open a file using the selected converter, you cannot open a .XLS, .XLW, or .XLC file by choosing the file name from the bottom of the File menu.

WORKAROUNDS

To avoid receiving this error message, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Open the .XLS file by choosing Open from the File menu, and then

          select the file that you want to open.

          a. From the File menu, choose Open.

          b. From the List Files Of Type list, select an option other than
             Microsoft Multiplan (*.*), or Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 or 5
             (*.WK4), such as All Files (*.*).

          c. Choose OK.

          d. Choose Cancel.

          You can now choose a file name from the File menu without
          receiving this error message.

MORE INFORMATION

The names of the four files that you have opened most recently appear at the bottom of the File menu. You can open any of these files by choosing the filename from the File menu.

NOTE: To open Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 files in Microsoft Excel, you must obtain the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter. The Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter is available in application note WE1130 "Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter." You can obtain WE1130 from the following sources:

You can obtain this Application Note from the following sources:

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
• The Internet (Microsoft anonymous ftp server)
• The Microsoft Network (MSN)
• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
• Microsoft Product Support Services

   ARTICLE-ID: Q122583
   TITLE     : XL5: Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows File Converter

REFERENCES

For more Tips For Working With Files And Documents, choose the Search button in Help and type:

   opening files