The new 2008 Excel Blank Sheet

[opticyellow]

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

So I am used to using the old excel blank sheet to create my oddles of spreadsheets and now - shizam 2008 comes out with a new style that isn't at all working for me. It's that vertical page break between rows F & G. I create very wide spreadsheets with too many columns that I'd like to see across the same page and not split this way. Is there anything I can do with 2008 to get it back to what I'm used to? Also, every time I go to save older spreadsheets a window pops up threatening that it may not be able to save all of it, or something to that effect. So far all seems saved but scary! Also it crashes on me much too often than I am used to.

 

[CyberTaz]

Have you tried switching from Page Layout to Normal view using the View menu
command or the view buttons in the lower left corner? For permanent change
in new workbooks go to Excel> Preferences> View & change the default viewing
mode to Normal.

As for the warning; 2008 includes features not supported in the older (.xls)
file format. Such things as SmartArt Objects & Shadows are among those
you're being warned about. As long as you continue to work with files that
are .doc you'll be in Compatibility Mode & the warnings will continue. The
should not be any problem as far as data content/calculations/conventional
formatting. I believe, however, that it can be turned off in the Preferences
but that may not be the wisest thing to do. You might consider using Save As
on your older files to create new copies in the .xlsx format. Your originals
can then be disposed of or held onto as backups.

As for the crashing, you'll need to be specific about exactly when it
happens [on launch, while working, when saving, on close...?] and describe
what you're doing when it happens. Also, is it only with certain files or
does it happen regardless of which file you're working with? Any
consistencies at all?

Make sure you have both Office (12.1.5) & OS X (10.5.6) fully updated. Run
Disk Utility - Repair Disk Permissions & see if that makes any difference.

 

[opticyellow]

Thanks for that, that 'normal' mode is exactly what I was looking for! In terms of the new features like shadows aqnd art objects, I really don't do anything fancy like that so I guess I won't worry. Crashing - well the spreadsheet just instantly closes with now warning and anything not saved is lost.