Microsoft KB Archive/185946

= XL97: "Couldn't Decrypt File" Error with Password Protected File =

Article ID: 185946

Article Last Modified on 5/21/2001

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Query 2000

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This article was previously published under Q185946





SYMPTOMS
When you try to create a data source for a Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows workbook, you may receive the following error message:

Couldn't Decrypt File



CAUSE
This problem may occur if all of the following conditions are true:
 * You are using the Microsoft Excel ODBC driver. -and-


 * The workbook for which you are creating the data source is protected by a password. -and-


 * The workbook for which you are creating the data source is not currently open in Microsoft Excel.



Method 1: Remove the workbook password
To work around this problem, remove the password from the workbook. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Start Microsoft Excel.
 * 2) On the File menu, click Open.
 * 3) Locate and select the workbook with the password.
 * 4) Click Open.
 * 5) Enter the password for the workbook and click OK.
 * 6) On the File menu, click Save As.
 * 7) Click Options.
 * 8) Clear the password box and click OK.
 * 9) Click Save. Click Yes when you are prompted to replace the existing file with the same name.
 * 10) Close the workbook.

You can create your data source without receiving an error message.

Method 2: Open the file in Excel
If you have the password protected workbook open in Microsoft Excel, you will be able to successfully create a data source for this workbook. However, you must have this workbook open when you use this data source or when you refresh a query that is pulling data from this data source.



STATUS
This is by design of Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows.

