Excel Problem - Solution

You receive a "Damage to the file was so extensive that repairs were not possible" error message when you try to open a workbook in Excel 2003 View products that this article applies to. Article ID

: 820712

Last Review : January 11, 2006 Revision

: 1.3

SYMPTOMS Describes an error meesage you may receive when you try to open a workbook in Excel 2003. This problem may occur although the workbook opens with no problems in an earlier version of Excel.When you try to open a workbook in Microsoft Office Excel 2003, you may receive the following error message: Errors were detected in 'filename.xls,' but Microsoft Excel was able to open the file by making the repairs listed below. Save the file to make these repairs permanent. Damage to the file was so extensive that repairs were not possible. Excel attempted to recover your formulas and values, but some data may have been lost or corrupted.

CAUSE This problem may occur if the workbook is damaged or corrupted and may occur although the workbook opens with no problems in an earlier version of Excel.

WORKAROUND To work around this problem, you may be able to copy and paste the data from the workbook opened in an earlier version of Excel to a new workbook in Excel 2003. Note You must have both versions of Excel installed on the same computer to use this work around.

APPLIES TO •

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

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Keywords: kbrepair kbopenfile kberrmsg kbprb KB820712