Microsoft KB Archive/123258

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XL5: "File Format Not Valid" Error After Selecting File Type

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

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SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you open a version 5.0 workbook file by choosing the filename from the bottom of the File menu, you may receive the following error message:

File format is not valid

Additionally, if you open a workbook, worksheet, or chart created in a version of Microsoft Excel earlier than 5.0, by choosing the filename from the bottom of the File menu, you receive the following error message:

Cannot read this binary file. If the file was created in a version of Microsoft Excel later than 5.0, use that version to save it as a Microsoft Excel 5.0 file. Open file as text?

CAUSE
This behavior occurs if you have recently selected Microsoft Multiplan (*.*) or Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 or 5 (*.wk4) from the List Files Of Type list in the Open dialog box. If you have selected one of these file converters in the Open dialog box, even if you don't open a file using the selected converter, you cannot open a .XLS, .XLW, or .XLC file by choosing the file name from the bottom of the File menu.

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

Method 1
Open the .XLS file by choosing Open from the File menu, and then select the file that you want to open.

Method 2
To open .XLS files from the quick list, follow these steps:


 * 1) From the File menu, choose Open.
 * 2) From the List Files Of Type list, select an option other than Microsoft Multiplan (*.*), or Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 or 5 (*.WK4), such as All Files (*.*).
 * 3) Choose OK.
 * 4) Choose Cancel.

You can now choose a file name from the File menu without receiving this error message.

MORE INFORMATION
The names of the four files that you have opened most recently appear at the bottom of the File menu. You can open any of these files by choosing the filename from the File menu.

NOTE: To open Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 files in Microsoft Excel, you must obtain the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter. The Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter is available in application note WE1130 "Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter."

For more information about obtaining the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q122583 : XL5: Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows File Converter