large files won't reopen

[JK]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

I start with a ~100K record accounting transactions file with about 15 columns of text and numeric data running across it. I add a moderately complex nested 'IF' statement to each record in column Z as a validation test along with some additional results columns. At this point the file works fine, equations are working. My work is looking good.

Then I save the file as either XLXS or XLXB and try to reopen it, and I get nothing other than the rainbow wheel. I've let this reopen attempt run for as long as 4 or 5 hours to try to get even one file to reopen. nothing. I have lots of machine power, dual core quad processor with lots of memory.

Is there a trick I can utilize get a file open? I've tried turning off calcs, that's no help.

JK

 

[JK]

One important fact to add, the file size is only 28MBs. Not really all that big, right?. I mention this because excel just told me it ran out of memory on a save. Huh?! how can that be? I have gigs and gigs of ram loaded on this Mac.

JK