Microsoft KB Archive/89030

{| = Excel Err Msg: File Error: Data May Have Been Lost =
 * width="100%"|

Last reviewed: November 29, 1994

Article ID: Q89030 The information in this article applies to:
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0

SUMMARY
In version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel for Windows the error message, &quot;File Error: data may have been lost&quot; may be displayed when opening a sheet with an embedded chart or when opening a chart file.

MORE INFORMATION
This error message occurs when opening a chart in which the text has been formatted in a color other than automatic. This only occurs when the text has been formatted by selecting the whole chart and then applying the color. The error message occurs after saving the file and reopening the file twice. If the X, Y and title text are formatted individually and then saved the error message does not appear when opening the file.

Workarounds

 * Select automatic instead of a color in the font dialog box under the format menu.
 * Include a legend on your chart and the error message will not occur when using a color other than automatic.
 * Format the X, Y, and title of the chart separately.

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.