Lost Sheet Tabs

[foxguy]

I was working in 2002 when all my sheet tabs disappeared.
I checked TOOLS>OPTIONS>SHEET TABS and it is checked.
I had 3 workbooks open and the other 2 are fine.
I restarted Excel and the tabs are still gone.

Any ideas?

[MarvinP]

Hi foxguy,

My best guess is exactly what you said. In 2010 there is a File -> Options -> Advanced under "Display Options for thjis workbook" is a checkbox with a lable "Show sheet tabs".

Is this what you claim is checked?

Also look at your default template to see how it is set:
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/w...les/27366.aspx

[foxguy]

Yes that is what is checked.

[shg]

Is the worksheet window maximized?

[foxguy]

Yes, the tabs are gone when the sheet is normal size also.

[foxguy]

Additional Information
I just discovered that the "Split Bar" is gone also. I never use "Split".

Also the row numbers disappear and in the "Window" menu it has "Remove Split" even though I never split the screen. Clicking "Remove Split" doesn't do anything.
When that happens I can usually drag the left edge of the screen and get the row numbers to appear and then "Remove Split". But it doesn't bring my sheet tabs or Split Bar back.

[MarvinP]

Hey FoxGuy,

I think I've found your tabs hiding behind a split mover. See if the attached is what you are getting. I made Column A small and then hid it after dragging the column splitter over to the left.

Hint - Right Click on the Left Arrow just below the Row Numbers. This will show all sheets.

[foxguy]

Thanks for the effort, but that's not my problem. I have no split mover visible, either vertical or horizontal. That probably was why I lost my row #s, but that only happened once.

[Andy Pope]

Can you post the workbook? Delete any data if necessary.

[Alf]

Not sure this could be of help but perhaps worth a try.

This could be cause by a corrupt XLB file. This file is maintained by Excel, and this is where all toolbar and menu customizations are stored. Each version of Excel stores this file in a different location. To solve the problem, first close Excel. Then search your PC for all files with a file type of XLB. It is a hidden file, so you will need to change the advanced search options to search for hidden files. You should also uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" in Explorer's Tools, Options, View so that you can see file types. Rename the Excel XLB file you find. Then restart Excel. Excel will recreate a new XLB file and this should hopefully solve your problem.

On my PC I found the file (Office 2003) Excel11.xlb in location:
C:\Documents and Settings\Alf\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel

Alf

[foxguy]

I would have bet on this, but it didn't work.
Thanks for trying.

[Jack in the UK]

Have you tried the same M$ Excel Spreadsheet on a different Desktop?

See if you get the same fault

[foxguy]

Have you tried the same M$ Excel Spreadsheet on a different Desktop?

See if you get the same fault

It would be too much trouble to move it to a different computer.

I've already started rebuilding a new file by copying all the sheets into the new file. During the process I found more corruption. A lot of my range names don't get copied into the new file, and there is a global range name that doesn't show up on the names list (with a name that looks like an alphabet scramble with no RefersTo.

So I think it's probably a good idea to abandon that file. Even if I could get the tabs back there would probably still be corruption in it. I don't think I want to take a chance of overlooking some corruption. The file is over 5 years old and has been added onto every month, so this gives me a chance to clean it up.

[Jack in the UK]

Always worth trying different Machine, even higher version of Excel (diff Excel version etc), takes few moments to do, less if on network

Also look at hidden , very hidden tabs ..

Your call

[foxguy]

Always worth trying different Machine, even higher version of Excel (diff Excel version etc), takes few moments to do, less if on network

Also look at hidden , very hidden tabs ..

Your call

I agree with you in the abstract. But I've reached the conclusion that this is an exception.
The file has been working for over 5 years on the same computer. And since I was working in the file the moment that the tabs disappeared I feel I can safely assume that there is nothing wrong with the computer or Excel.
I was hoping that this problem had occurred to other people and had a simple solution. It doesn't look like that's the case.
I had been wanting to clean up the file for over year. I add been adding onto it continually over the last 5 years, so this finally gave me the excuse to put it higher on my priority list.

[gmoneyfinancial]

Is the worksheet window maximized?

Maximizing the window was the solution for a co-worker of mine whose Excel tabs had mysteriously disappeared.

[foxguy]

I'll try and remember that if it ever happens again. I rebuilt the file a page at a time and it's working fine now.