excel turns to binary

[george]

This has happened three times on different files.

The first time it happened I sent a copy to Microsoft with
the complete history including the sn of the program.

Never got a reply!! Guess they don't care about their
programs or its users. I asked what caused such and was
there a way in which to recover the data.

The second time I did the same; same result.

Today, I went to open a file closed on 31 Jan 04 and the
file is all binary again. I've asked around Austin about
the problem. No one has an answer.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?
Has anyone else had similar results with Microsft not
making a reply to two simple questions?

I am very interested in knowing the why, how, when, of
this problem.

Thanks
gh

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Today, I went to open a file closed on 31 Jan 04 and the
file is all binary again. I've asked around Austin about
the problem. No one has an answer.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?
Has anyone else had similar results with Microsft not
making a reply to two simple questions?

I am very interested in knowing the why, how, when, of
this problem.

Hmm... I'm not sure whether I've heard of this problem or not, because
I'm not sure what "turns to binary" means. *All* files are stored in
binary - that's how (most) magnetic/optical media work.

Can the file be opened with XL?

If not, how are you determining that it has "turned to binary?" Perhaps
a more complete description will give me or someone else a clue as to
what's going on.

I'd be happy to take a look at your file, but can't guarantee I'll be
able to tell you what's wrong. Zip or Stuff a copy of the file (along
with a good copy or backup if you have one) and send it from the email
address above (to get past my filters).

 

[JE McGimpsey]

This has happened three times on different files.

The first time it happened I sent a copy to Microsoft with
the complete history including the sn of the program.

Never got a reply!! Guess they don't care about their
programs or its users. I asked what caused such and was
there a way in which to recover the data.

No, you're not likely to get a reply. MS's MacBU has 160 or so
employees, including developers, coders, testers, QA, marketing,
management and product support, for Office, IE, VPC, Messenger, MSN, and
a few other minor applications. There just isn't enough bodies. To put
on enough bodies would mean increasing MacOffice's price to cover the
cost. There's a price point there.

You're even less likely to receive a reply if you're vague or imprecise
about your problem, like you are here.

Whether they care about their customers is another issue - my experience
is that they do, which is one reason they provide both paid support
(which is free if the problem is a product bug) and free support such as
this peer-to-peer newsgroup. And they *do* read what you send them via
the Help/Send Feedback on Excel menu item.

YMMV.