"The Converter Failed to Open the File"

[Ted_IL]

I am using Excel 2002 on an xp system

The database is of information relating to homes for sale in my area.

When I try to open my database I am getting a message in a box that flashes for a second that says:
File conversion in progress
there is a "cancel" option with this message but there is only a half second to click on it which I am unable to do.

Then this message appears:

The converter failed to open the file.
With this message the program opens, but the screen is a dark grey. Very few of the buttons are useable.

These messages only started appearing recently. The file has been in constant use for several months.

The data seems to be intact evidenced by the file size. But the data is not viewable.

Have you folks any ideas how I can fix this problem?

Thanks so much for your time if you choose to reply.

Ted

[Paul]

Hi Ted, and welcome to the forum.

Has anyone using the spreadsheet saved it in a different format, e.g. Excel 2007 format? Typically that would trigger the file conversion process. Are you sure it's in Excel 97-2003 format, or could it be in Excel 5.0 format (for example), which would still have an .XLS extension?

[Ted_IL]

Paul,
Thanks for trying to help.

It is possible that someone did try and save it as Excel 2007. Im just not sure though.


when I right click upon the Icon that opens the file and then click on "save as" (in an attempt to discover what format it currently is in) I notice the only option is "Microsoft Office Excel 97-2003 worksheet (*xls).

However at the bottom of the worksheet itself it says: .xlsm

Ted

[Ted_IL]

When I check the "properties" of the file I get this:

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Macro-Enabled Workbook

I do not have the excel 2007 program.

[Ted_IL]

Also, I might point out:

For weeks it would open and this conversion was occuring and the file would open.

Two days ago I started getting "the coverter failed to open the file" message and the file has not opened since.

Sooo it would open for awhile even though I was getting "file conversion in process." Several weeks in fact.

Ted

[Paul]

Hi Ted,

I personally haven't tried opening .XLSM (Excel 2007 Macro-enabled) files in Excel 2003, but I don't see why it would work any different than .XLSX (Excel 2007 standard) files. Are you able to upload a copy of the file, or are there privacy concerns?

[Ted_IL]

Paul,

Hopeful the file is attached.

[Paul]

Hi Ted,

I was able to open the file from my other PC (which has Excel 2007), but it had to do a repair first. According to the repair log it had to remove some hyperlinks from the file (my guess is the hyperlinks were in column A?)

I've re-saved the file in .xls (Excel 97-2003) format and can open it just fine (see attached). Hopefully it still meets your needs without the "repaired" links.

I didn't find any VBA (macros) in the file, so I'm not sure why it was saved as XLSM (unless there was some code prior to the repair?).

[Ted_IL]

PAUL!!

IT WORKS NOW!!

Yes the hyperlinks are in the column mentioned. I do not need them so I will get rid of all of them.

THANK YOU so very much for helping and sharing your knowledge. I feel as though I owe you money!

I am deeply indebted,

YOUR friend forever,

Ted

[Paul]

Glad I could help, Ted!

Happy Election Day!

[Ted_IL]

Paul!

I am rooting for your candidate, whoever that may be!

May you be blessed for being so helpful.

[J_dog]

Master Safety Discrepancy Tracker.xlsm

Paul,

I know this is an old thread, but I have the same problem. I have a Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Macro-Enabled Workbook that I can't open any more because I keep getting a "The Converter Failed To Open The File" error. It started when I added a password to the excel file. I had the file open, went to TOOLS, went to PROTECTION, then went to PROTECT WORKBOOK. For some reason since then it refuses to open.

If you try to open it and it asks for a password, it is yakubisin.

J_dog

[arlu1201]

J_dog,

Unfortunately you need to post your question in a new thread, it's against the forum rules to post a question in the thread of another user. If you create your own thread, any advice will be tailored to your situation so you should include a description of what you've done and are trying to do. Also, if you feel that this thread is particularly relevant to what you are trying to do, you can surely include a link to it in your new thread.