Microsoft KB Archive/128164

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XL5: "Unable to Read File" Updating Link to Column of Values

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0c

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SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you update a link to a column of values, when the linked column is located on the source worksheet next to a range that contains a column of string values, you receive the following error message:

Unable to read file

CAUSE
This behavior occurs when the column of values that are linked is located next to an array of values on the source worksheet, where a column in the array of values contains string values. This problem only occurs when the source file is closed.

Take for example, the following data on a worksheet in the file LINK1

  A2: not too short     B2: 23  C2: 55  D2 74 A3: not tooo short   B3: 23  C3: 55  D3 74 A4: not to short     B4: 23  C4: 55  D4 74 A5: not too shorter  B5: 23  C5: 55  D5 74 A6: much too short   B6: 23  C6: 55  D6 74 A7: really too short B7: 23  C7: 55  D7 74

where the range A2:B7 is an array that refers to a range in another workbook. If you create a link to the data in column D, (the range D2:D7) in another file, for example =INDEX([LINK1]Sheet1!D2:D7,1,1), you receive the error message described above when you update the link while the file LINK1 is closed.

Note that this error message occurs when you update the link by using the Link dialog box, or by entering the formula again, or by opening the file that contains the link.

Additionally, this problem depends on the length of the string values in the array column, column A above. This problem does not occur with short string values in this column.

RESOLUTION
This problem can be avoided in two different ways:

- Upgrade to Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0, or Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0a. The problem was corrected in these versions of Microsoft Excel.

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- Obtain the 15-digit number patch for Microsoft Excel, version 5.0c. The following article in the Microsoft KnowledgeBase contains information on how to obtain and install the patch:

Q128332 : WE1254: 15-Digit Number Patch for MS Excel Version 5.0c

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel version 5.0a for the Macintosh and in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0.

Note that this problem still occurs in Microsoft Excel version 5.0c for Windows.