Two 'new' nuisances

[incognito]

I prefer to list my two new things Œproblems¹ but they are nevertheless a
nuisance and appeared only recently. Unfortunately I have no clue how and
why they show up and would appreciate any hint where to look:
1. When I open Excel it starts with a message that says in a small Excel
window ³Normal: File format is not valid²
2. Excel then opens nevertheless my custom template, however, the displayed
spreadsheet is so large that the top three rows are behind the toolbars and
the top row of the OS window, e.g. Indicating the open application, in this
case Excel.
This did not happen before but appears since about a week. Thanks for any
help.

 

[CyberTaz]

This did not happen before but appears since about a week.

What has occured during that time framethat might have bearing on the
problem?

What version of OS, Excel?

What is the distinction between the custom template you're using as
opposed to the default workbook template... or is it a work_sheet_
template?

Any other info you can offer?

Regards |:>)

 

[incognito]

OK, I should have included the information you are asking for:
I am running with Mac OSX 10.3.4, MacOffice X.

I can't be sure what happened during the week before I saw this. But I had
not used Excel for several weeks, actually. Thus, to be truly precise, I
would need to remember what happened during that time frame. But I don't
(you don't want you to know my age).

The last work I did with Excel before I noticed the change, was to work on a
form for data collection with graphics, work that I abandoned.

The custom template is a workbook with only a few work sheets. But the work
sheets are also kept separately as custom work sheets. This arrangement has
served me well for many years. I transferred it from my PCs when I
converted to Mac Powerbook G4 in 2001. It has not failed my until now.

This template only has specific formatting for all cells, automatic date
entries at start and a colored grid all of which I consider rather simple
modifications.

I am suspicious that somehow my Normal Template from Word gets mixed in when
I start Excel, but I have not been smart enough how to check that suspicion.
Where else could that 'Normal' file name (with which Excel is confronted
with during launch) come from?

Thanks a lot for you attention to this thing!

Rudolf

CyberTaz wrote on 12/6/05 1:38 PM

 

[JE McGimpsey]

1. When I open Excel it starts with a message that says in a small Excel
window ³Normal: File format is not valid²
2. Excel then opens nevertheless my custom template, however, the displayed
spreadsheet is so large that the top three rows are behind the toolbars and
the top row of the OS window, e.g. Indicating the open application, in this
case Excel.
This did not happen before but appears since about a week. Thanks for any

First - what did you change just before the problems started?

What version of XL? Do you have macros running in your custom template
(or any add-ins?)?

Don't know about the error message - do you have any files (including
one named "Normal") in your

HD:Applications:Microsoft Office <X/2004>:Office:Startup:Excel

folder?

In the second case, I'd first try trashing preferences (with XL closed)
including the

~:Library:com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist

and possibly the

~:Library:Microsoft:com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist

files (where ~ is your home directory). If that doesn't help, I'd open
your template, choose Window/Arrange to resize it the way you want, then
Save As as a template over the original file.

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Rudolf-

The changes I was asking about would include any OS or Office updates,
installation/removal of any software, any other irregularities during the
same time frame, etc.

Have you tried running XL _without_ using your custom template? That would
help determine whether the template is actually damaged in some way.

My suggestion is to go with what JE recommends. He's far more experienced
with Office X than I, and I don't even have it installed any longer.

Regards |:>)

 

[incognito]

Hi Mr. McDempsey,

Your suggestion worked! After deleting the prefs.plst I got rid of the
error indicator window.
Unfortunately, now I no longer can start Excel automatically with my custom
formatted template except going through the Project Gallery where I find the
custom template listed.
Thank you for your tip!
Is there a procedure you can suggest how to restore the automatic startup of
Excel with a Workbook based solely on my custom template?

JE McGimpsey wrote on 12/8/05 11:53 AM

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Is there a procedure you can suggest how to restore the automatic
startup of Excel with a Workbook based solely on my custom template?

Set up your template the way you want it, including number of sheets,
formatting, etc.

Save it *as a template* in the

HD:Applications:Microsoft Office <X/2004>:Office:Startup:Excel

folder, under the name "Workbook" (no quotes, no extension).

You can choose to put the file in an alternate startup folder
(Preferences/General) instead, if you wish. Any file in the
startup/alternate startup folder will be opened when XL is opened.

 

[incognito]

Hi JE,

Leaving off the extension did the trick. How could I have missed that? I
don't remember any hint in that regard in the Help files.

Actually, when I clicked the sequence 'save as, template' the application
attached the extension '.xlt' to the 'Workbook' which I had to delete before
saving it into the Start-up folder.

Thank you a lot!!!

Rudolf


JE McGimpsey wrote on 12/9/05 12:13 AM

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Leaving off the extension did the trick. How could I have missed that? I
don't remember any hint in that regard in the Help files.

Well, Help is exact, but it doesn't emphasize the lack of extension:

default workbook template
The template (named Workbook) you create if you want to change the default
format of new workbooks.

Frankly, it's a bad, if understandable design decision. Since Macs don't
require extensions (and most people pre-OS X didn't use them), the
extensionless filename was used. That introduced an incompatibility that
should never have existed. MacBU should have made things more flexible
(WinXL will accept "Book.xlt").

 

[CyberTaz]

Actually, when I clicked the sequence 'save as, template' the application
attached the extension '.xlt' to the 'Workbook' which I had to delete before
saving it into the Start-up folder.

I transferred it from my PCs when I
converted to Mac

Is it possible that the extension was already there, but previously treated
as part of the file name? The incongruence is that the .xlt _does_ appear
when you first change the type to Template as you save, but, IIRC, it _does
not_ actually get appended to the file name unless you type it (or accept
the default name).

PS- I told ya' JE would get ya' there!

Regards |:>)

 

[incognito]

Hi CyberTaz:

What I did was, take 'my' Workbook template that was saved before with the
xlt extension in ... MSOffice/Templates/MyTemplates and opened it in Excel.
I then clicked File>Save as which brought the typical window that lists
places where to save, type of file, etc. In the file name line I erased the
xlt extension and then clicked from the list of file types 'Template' at
which moment the app added the xlt back to the file name which I erased
again. Then I picked the .../Office/Startup/Excel folder and clicked on
'Save'. This, finally, did the trick.
So, even there are still mysteries that my blemished self confidence won't
let me forget, I am happy with the result: My trusted spreadsheet shows up
instantly when calling up Excel and it presents itself in the proper size,
and with the right toolbars.
CT, I thank you very much for your continued attention and steering my in
the right direction. Of course, I am equally indebted to J.E. McDempsey.

Hopefully you folks are going to stay around for a long time to assist us
often confounded civilians.

Best Regards and Wishes for the Holidays!
Rudolf

CyberTaz wrote on 12/9/05 12:07 PM