Excel file crashes when opens for SOME users only

[RoBo]

Here's the picture:

Two teams
Same access rights
Same pc build, same apps, NT4 and office 97 pro
One team can access shared workbook on network share
One team can't, app crashes when trying to load workbook,
YET can open all other xl files in network share
All Excel 97
I can't open said file on same pc build either, and I'm a
domain admin
YET I CAN open it on a W2K box using Office 2000
This is a weird one
Any advice? I've spent a day on this and it's driving me
nuts
Thanks in advance
RoBo

 

[Grey Newt]

Yup - this is very familiar - I've written this reply so many times now I should make a template for it !!
The problem is that if the workbook has been edited in Excel 2000 at any time, it is likely to corrupt the file in Excel 97. This will cause what you are describing, as well as many other weird and dangerous symptons. In 97, you need to find the corrupted bits and re-write them - often difficult as they do not stand out.
Sometimes, opening and doing changes in Excel XP cures this, but failing that, start deleting sheets (in a copy of course), saving, then re-opeing on the 'bad' PC - this will identify the sheet that has the problem. Often a rewrite of that sheet is the only solution. i've had these problems for years - and for as long as people use 97 with other versions - they will continue...