Microsoft KB Archive/98979

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XL4: Crosstab ReportWizard May Overwrite Data

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 4.0

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SUMMARY
The Crosstab ReportWizard included with Microsoft Excel 4.0 does not warn you if the crosstab table you are creating is about to overwrite other data on your worksheet.

MORE INFORMATION
When you use the Crosstab ReportWizard, you can choose where your crosstab table will be created: you can either choose to create the crosstab table on a new worksheet (the default choice), or you can choose to create the crosstab table on the same worksheet as your database.

When you create the crosstab table on the same worksheet as your database, the upper-left corner of the table will appear in the active cell. For example, if cell D5 is the active cell when you start the Crosstab ReportWizard, the crosstab table will start at cell D5 and cover cells below and to the right of D5.

The Crosstab ReportWizard does not warn you if it is about to overwrite existing data. For example, if your database covers the range from A1 to D10, and A1 is the active cell when you start the Crosstab ReportWizard, the crosstab table overwrites part of your database if you choose to create the table on the same worksheet.

Ranges that contain arrays behave differently. For example, if columns D through F contain an array and you start your crosstab in column D and the crosstab returns 6 columns, columns D through F will not be overwritten. The result will be an incomplete crosstab table only returning the last three columns (which will be returned to columns G through I).

To ensure that none of your data is overwritten by a new crosstab table, do one of the following:


 * Always create your crosstab tables on a new worksheet (the default choice)

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 * Make sure that the cells below and to the right of the active cell are empty before you start the Crosstab ReportWizard.