Hi Dave,

I know that is a special problem. But in the organization where I work,
everyone is using that "Alternate file location" where over 50 templates and
XLAs are stored and must be used for their job. This location is on the
network and appears to be quite useful because everyone gets access to the
work templates from a central location. But at the same time, this causes a
particular problem. The users have been experiencing a performance problem
and I suspect that the memory used by this loading of all those templates may
be one of the causes.

I am looking for a solution to this problem. I will eventually choose the
best I find, but not necessarily the cheapest nor the easiest.

I figure that if I do not specify that alternate file location, I must
develop a UI that will present the templates to the user and permit the
creation of a new workbook. For the XLAs, I must find the places in the code
where they are used an adapt it to match the new location. If all those
templates are not loaded in memory, will that make the situation better?
Before I start developping anything, I would like to be sure that this is a
good solution.

I remember some time ago, when I had specified that Alternate file location
with Excel 95 (or was it 97?), all the recently used workbooks were opened in
addition to the ones in the specified directory. To fix the problem, I had to
blank it out. I never used that functionality again. But now, I am confronted
with it another time and I'm determined to find a smart solution.

I know that Word does not work the same way... But that's another topic...

What does Microsoft has to say about that Excel alternate file location? How
is it supposed to be used ou be user for? Where can I find information about
it?

To conclude, Dave, I will have to rate your comment as not useful for now
because I must get other opinions from the Excel community. But in fact, your
comment has been very helpful and I really appreciate it. Your answer means
that my problem is a real one and that it must be addressed seriously. I am
sure that everyone will profit from that questioning.

Thank you again, Dave.

"Dave Peterson" wrote:

I've never seen anyone really use that "at startup, open all files in"
effectively.

But you can specify a network template location in MSWord:

In MSWord:
Tools|Options|General Tab|Workgroup templates

Or if you've loaded the MSOffice shortcutbar, you can use that:
rightclick on an empty spot of that toolbar, choose Customize
It's on the Settings Tab under "workgroup templates location"

Jac Tremblay wrote:

Hi everyone,

I use Excel 2000 and have specified the "Alternate file startup location"
(Tools/Options - General tab) for some alternate working templates. Are they
all loaded in memory when Excel starts or are they not? To me this is a major
problem because there are many of them and I wonder if a part of memory is
used by them and therefore if I should try to make them smaller.

When I use Excel XP (2002) and I specify that folder (At startup, open all
files in:), I get a message for each of them asking if I should enable the
macros contained in the templates. This is annoying as I have to click about
45 times on the Enable macros button. This message, I think, should come only
when I try to create a new workbook base on a cpecified template. Is there
another way in Excel 2002 to allow the creation of a new workbook based on an
additional list of specified templates for a defined group of users on a
network.

Thanks to anyone who can help.
--
Jac Tremblay

--

Dave Peterson