KB178050 - Pocket Excel: "Error Occurred" Opening File in Invalid Format

PSS ID Number: 178050

Article Last Modified on 12/2/2003

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Pocket Excel, when used with:
- Microsoft Windows CE Operating System, Versions 1.0
- Microsoft Windows CE Operating System, Versions 2.0

This article was previously published under Q178050

SYMPTOMS

When you open a file in Microsoft Pocket Excel for Windows CE, you may receive one of the following error messages:

An error occurred reading 'Filename' because the file is in an invalid format.

This file is in an obsolete format.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you open a file that is stored in any format other than the Pocket Excel Documents (*.pxl) format. For example, this problem occurs when you try to open the following formats:

Text files (*.txt, *.csv)
Microsoft Excel 4.0 workbooks (*.xlw)
Lotus 1-2-3 files (*.wk4, *.wk3, *.wk1, *.wks, and so on)
Quattro Pro files (*.wq1, *.wb1, *.wq2, *.wb2, and so on)
SYLK files (*.slk)

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, convert the files to the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format before you transfer them to the handheld PC. To convert the files, use one of the following methods.

Use Microsoft Excel to Convert Files

In most cases, you can use Microsoft Excel for Windows to convert files to the correct format. To do this, follow these steps:

In Microsoft Excel for Windows, click Open on the File menu. Select the file that you want to convert, and then click Open.
On the File menu, click Save As.
In the Save File As Type dialog box, select the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format, and then, click Save.

Repeat these steps for all the files that you want to convert. After you convert the files, you can transfer them to the handheld PC and open them in Microsoft Pocket Excel without receiving any error messages.

Use a Third-Party Program to Convert Files

You can also use a third-party program to convert files to the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format. This may be necessary if your files have been saved in a format that Microsoft Excel cannot open, such as a newer Lotus 1-2-3 or Quattro Pro file format. After you convert the files, you can transfer them to the handheld PC and open them in Microsoft Pocket Excel without receiving any error messages.

One third-party program that supports newer Lotus 1-2-3 and Quattro Pro file formats is Conversions Plus for Windows, by DataViz, Inc. For information about Conversions Plus for Windows, visit the following DataViz Web site:

http://www.dataviz.com/

For information about how to contact DataViz, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

MORE INFORMATION

If you are using Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows to convert files for use in Microsoft Pocket Excel, do not save the files in the Microsoft Excel workbook format. If you do this, you receive the following error message when you attempt to open the files on the handheld PC

Cannot convert file 'Filename'.

This Microsoft Excel file was created in a version of Microsoft Excel that is not supported by the selected converter. The Pocket Excel converter can only convert Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 files.

You also receive this error message if you attempt to transfer files that are saved in the Microsoft Excel 4.0 Worksheet (*.xls) format, the Microsoft Excel 3.0 Worksheet (*.xls) format, or the Microsoft Excel 2.1 Worksheet (*.xls) format. You must convert these files to the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format before you transfer them to the handheld PC.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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Keywords: kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb KB178050
Technology: kbExcelSearch kbExcelWinSearch kbOSWinCE kbPocketExcelSearch kbPocketSearch kbWinCE100 kbWinCE200 kbWinCESearch