Macros disappear unpredictably

Completely perfect, apart from not working as you want it to, and no longer being being supported. Winning.

Hi backdrop and welcome to the forum,

Just a guess, but old Excel used".xls" files and then along came ".xlsx" for the extension. Perhaps you installed a version of Excel that didn't recognize the newer .xlsx type of file? Check what program is supposed to run when you double click on a .xlsx. Read:

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000572.htm

BTW - what version of windows are you using as this might explain the behavior also.

The whole question is what is different than when it worked correctly before. You said

I've been using xlsx and docx files in Office 2003 for years with no problem

but how about now??

Have you installed the same upgrades and add-ins on the new hard drive that you had on the old one? This might be the problem. The OS keeps track of each install of software and sets the "Associates" file to run that specific program based on the extension of the filename. My question is - can you open .xls files as well as .xlsx files after the reinstall? Do you have/use OneDrive? This might also present a problem with older versions of Windows.

I'm trying to brainstorm what is causing the new problem. What changed that you haven't discovered yet? Did your "converters" come from Microsoft or another company?

Marv

Originally Posted by backdrop

Maybe try actually reading my post, dingus.

...

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

This sort of response to another member will not be tolerated. You will see that you have received a warning: more behaviour like this will lead to a ban.

Hey backdrop,

The order in which you install your software can also make a difference. Those extension associates are in the registry. When you upgrade software or do Add-ins they sometimes expect to see the other product has created a registry entry. The add-in will then update this registry entry. If you install stuff in the wrong order the add-in can't find where to update. I'm just trying to brainstorm what is going on. Are you or were you on a network of some kind? If you were the default locations of stuff may have changed. Perhaps you installed an Add-In in a "Download" directory on the old system and now it is in a MyDocument directory? This kind of stuff has also screwed up my upgrades in the past.

Would we expect nothing less from a New York patron.

My father in law would always start his questions with "I didn't change anything", before we would discover what he had changed. It is all in the learning experience. Some people just believe the squeaky wheel gets the oil or if you complain loud and long you get more help faster. I don't think backdrop knows we work for free and don't know all answers.

Hey backdrop - we'd love to help with an answer that works but there are so many pieces to check. If you tell us what caused the problem it would be more helpful. I know that you don't know what caused the problem but we don't either.. ALSO - we don't work for Microsoft or Excel. We are just cute loving people who get a kick out of helping others. It makes us feel like we are smart, I guess.

Hey backdrop,

More directly to the question. Excel in 2003 saved all files as .xls. Those with macros and those without. When the newer versions came along you needed to save them at .xlsm. Read:
https://superuser.com/questions/7320...ing-excel-file

Perhaps you are opening some newer files that are .xlsm and trying to save them as .xls and the VBA part is lost. This would happen if you had macros in a new file and saved it as .xlsx - the macros would be lost. I have no idea how you might check this theory but it is closer than an OS or Regedit type answer.

I'm just trying to brainstorm on what may be the problem.

PS in case you're thinking of telling me to use a newer version: don't waste your time. Hundreds of people have told me for 10+ years to upgrade and they all failed and you will too. This is non-negotiable. I repeat, you're wasting your time. 2003 is completely perfect for my needs.

Originally Posted by backdrop

Maybe try actually reading my post, dingus.

Before: Win 7, Excel 2003 - worked perfect for 15 years.
This week: Reinstalled the SAME THINGS ON THE SAME COMPUTER and now its broken.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

be polite - or leave!!