Microsoft KB Archive/159679

= XL97: "Illegal Operation" Opening a Non-Microsoft Excel File =

Article ID: 159679

Article Last Modified on 10/22/2000

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q159679



SYMPTOMS
When you open a file that does not use the Microsoft Excel file format, you may receive the following error message:

This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.

If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.

If you click Details, you receive an error message similar to the following:

EXCEL caused an invalid page fault in module EXCEL.EXE at 0137:304a7815.



CAUSE
This problem may occur when both of the following conditions are true:


 * In an open workbook, you use either the Camera tool or the Paste Picture Link feature to create a picture that is linked to a range of cells. -and-


 * You attempt to open a file that is in a format other than the Microsoft Excel file format.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1:

Open the file that is not in Microsoft Excel file format before you open the workbook that contains the picture.

Method 2:

If you open a workbook that contains a picture that is linked to a range of cells, do not open any files other than Microsoft Excel files



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, Service Release 1.



MORE INFORMATION
You can create pictures of worksheet data, charts, and other objects and use them as illustrations in a worksheet or a document that you create in another program. You can resize, move, and edit a picture like a drawing object.

To update a picture of worksheet cells after the original data changes, link the picture to the source worksheet. For example, if you add numbers to the original cells you copied, the linked picture is automatically updated to include the new numbers.

You cannot link a picture of a chart. To create a chart that reflect changes in its source data automatically, copy the chart and paste a linked chart object in the destination file.

You can copy a picture in the picture or bitmap format. The picture format uses less memory and disk space than the bitmap format, and allows Microsoft Excel to display the picture more quickly. Images you save in the picture format are displayed well at any resolution and work well when you want to produce a high-quality printout or online presentation, such as a chart for a presentation.

