xls --> xlsm = corruption?

[malcmail]

So I ahve a good few workbooks that I created in Office 365 ProPlus. Due to one reason or another (idiots mainly) I had to save these as xls files (97-03 format). Now I'm finally "allowed" to save these files as xlsm. SO off I went opening the xls, save as, change the name and the format to macro enabled workbook and save. All good, or so I thought.

When I try to open them they all come back with an error saying that the "file format or file extension is not valid. Verify that the file is not corrupt and that the extension matches the file". Well I can't check the first as it will not open and the second I would hope it is. Have I missed something that I needed to d? Or is it something else?

TIA

[xlnitwit]

Hi,

The usual cause for that message is exactly what it says. Is the file extension definitely correct? Did you add it to the file name when saving, or did you just change the format dropdown to macro enabled workbooks?

[malcmail]

So far I have tried (in order of desperation)
1. Just changing the file type.
2. Changing the file type and adding .xlsm to end of it
3. Changing type and name and still adding .xlsm.

All sadly result in the same.

[Sam Capricci]

if it was originally a .xls in '97 and you added an "m" to the end of the extension without adding a macro to the sheet it is likely confused about the file. The usual process is you add a macro to the sheet then save and excel will ask you if you want to save it as a macro enabled sheet and save it as an xlm or xlsm if it is 2003 or newer.

[malcmail]

As it stands there are plenty of macros in there already. Would that make a difference? I don't think it would ask me upon saving in that case would it?

[xlnitwit]

As long as you specified the xlsm file type when saving it, you should not have to add an extension to it- Excel will do that for you.

[malcmail]

That's what I thought, but given how it went wrong I thought I'd give it a go. But still no joy.

[malcmail]

Aha! For reference for others in future going to File -> Info and then convert will change the format to the most recent and Bob is your dad's brother. Thanks all.