Excel files disappear after adding password protection

[LauraBawad]

I recently added password and write protection to some workbooks. Now the
files have disappeared. The folders they were in show up as files now with
no file type or extension. When I open them in notepad the data is
unreadable. I had a backup of one that I copied over to a new location and
it was automatically given the xlsm extension. There are no macros in these
workbooks, but there are many hyperlinks to internet addresses. Can I
recover my files? How do I keep from losing them again?

 

[Pat McMillan]

What version of Excel are you using? Can you tell me exactly what password
and protection settings you used? Did you protect the sheet, the workbook,
or create password to open or modify? Also, what file format did you
originally save the files in? These details are critical to understanding
any problems you're having.

Thanks,

Pat
(e-mail address removed)

 

[LauraBawad]

Excel 2003 (11.8146.8132) SP2
Password protection was for the workbook, not individual sheet(s). Added
the protection: File, Save As, chose Tools, General Options, and added a
password to open and a password to modify, with Read only recommended.
File format originally was Microsoft Office Excel Workbook (*.xls)

 

[Pat McMillan]

Oops. I thought you were running a Mac version of Excel. This newsgroup is
geared towards Mac Excel. The issues in the Windows versions of Excel tend
to be different, so you should re-direct your question to the Windows Excel
newsgroup.

Thanks,

Pat