Excel Err Msg: "File Format Is Not Valid" with Linked Document

 Last reviewed: October 13, 1995
Article ID: Q30583
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, if you attempt to update links to a closed file that is saved in a file format other than Microsoft Excel (for example if you save it in the text file format), you may receive the following error message: 

   External Copy: file format is not valid

CAUSE

For a list of the file types that you cannot update links to if the linked- to file is closed, see the following table. In the table, "x" means that the file format causes the error message and "No error" means that the file format does not cause the error message. 

   Formats that
   may return an    MS Excel 3.0
   error message    or earlier         MS Excel 4.0   MS Excel 5.0
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Text              x                  x                 x
   CSV               x                  x                 x
   SYLK              x                  x                 x
   WKS               x                  x                 No error
   WK1               x                  x                 No error
   WK3               x                  x                 No error
   DIF               x                  x                 x
   DBF2              x                  x                 x
   DBF3              x                  x                 x
   DBF4              x                  x                 x
   MS Excel 2.1      x                  No error          No error
   MS Excel 3.0      No error           No error          No error
   MS Excel 4.0      N/A                No error          No error

WORKAROUNDS

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

Method 1: Open the external file before you attempt to update links to it.

Method 2: Save the file in a file format that allows you to update links 

          when the linked-to worksheet is closed.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel 5.0 and later:

For more information about File Formats (Windows) or File Formats (Macintosh), choose the Search button in Help, and type the following: 

   file formats, defined
For an Overview of Linking and Embedding, choose the Search button in Help and type the following: 

   Links command (Edit menu), purpose
Microsoft Excel 4.0:

"User's Guide," version 4.0, pages 127-136

Microsoft Excel 3.0:

"User's Guide," version 3.0 for Windows, pages 316-325 "User's Guide," version 3.0 for the Macintosh, 308-317

KBCategory: kbole kbusage
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 7.00 1.0 1.00 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.5 1.50 2.2 2.20
3.0 3.00 4.0 4.00 5.00 5.00c OLE

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Last reviewed: October 13, 1995
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