Microsoft KB Archive/124637

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MXL5: "Application Could Not Be Found" Double-Clicking File

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

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SYMPTOMS
When you double-click a Microsoft Excel file in the Finder, you may receive the following error message:

The document could not be opened, because the application program that created it could not be found.

CAUSE
This behavior may occur for either of the following reasons:


 * The Registration Database or the PPC Registration Database file has been corrupted
 * You have performed a Workstation installation of Microsoft Excel, and you double-click the file while you are not connected to the server where Microsoft Excel is located.

WORKAROUND
To avoid this problem, follow the appropriate method below for your situation.

Method 1
To test if the Registration Database or the PPC Registration Database is corrupt, move the PPC Registration Database, Registration Database, and Embedding Preferences files from the Preferences folder in the System Folder to the desktop and start Microsoft Excel again.

For more information about troubleshooting problems with Microsoft Excel, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q124063 Don't Delete Settings/Preferences Files When Troubleshooting" "Q124635 MXL5: Troubleshooting Microsoft Excel 5.0 for the Macintosh"

Method 2
Use this method if you are running a Workstation installation of Microsoft Excel.

When you run Microsoft Excel from a network server, connect to the server when you start your Macintosh so that there is always a connection to the Microsoft Excel files. To do this automatically on startup, use the Chooser to connect to the network server, and select the check box next to the server name. When you select an item in the Chooser, the item will be opened each time you start your Macintosh.