Microsoft KB Archive/102436

{| = Excel: SOUND.PLAY Function Cannot Play Compressed Wave Files =
 * width="100%"|

Last reviewed: September 12, 1996

Article ID: Q102436 The information in this article applies to:
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you use a SOUND.PLAY macro to play a compressed wave file, the macro statement will return an error.

CAUSE
The Microsoft Windows Sound System allows you to change the compression ratio of wave files to 4 bits per sample. However, if you attempt to play a compressed wave file (4 bits per sample) with the SOUND.PLAY function, you will receive a macro error.

WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use the Quick Recorder to set the compression ratio for wave files.

NOTE: Quick Recorder is an application that ships with the Microsoft Windows Sound System.

To set the compression ratio:


 * 1) Start the Quick Recorder.
 * 2) From the Options menu, choose the Compression command. The Compression dialog box appears.
 * 3) Select the ratio you want.
 * 4) Choose the OK button.
 * 5) From the File menu, choose Save.

NOTE: The SOUND.PLAY function can play wave files with Normal compression (8 bits per sample) and High Fidelity (16 bits per sample).

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.