I have a file that I need to open that was created in Excel 97 or an earlier
version. When I try to open the file with Excel 2003, I get a message that
the file is in an "unrecognizable format." Is there any need for special
software to open such files? Unfortunately I do not have any old versions of
Excel to try. Thanks, Fred.

Excel 97 files should open quite happily in Excel 2003. It might be
interesting to see whether Open Office will open the file and save it in a
more recent version.
--
David Biddulph

"oldbbplayer" wrote in message
...
I have a file that I need to open that was created in Excel 97 or an
earlier
version. When I try to open the file with Excel 2003, I get a message
that
the file is in an "unrecognizable format." Is there any need for special
software to open such files? Unfortunately I do not have any old versions
of
Excel to try. Thanks, Fred.

As I understand it all versions of Xl from XL97 to 2003 have the same format
and older versions should be opened without problem. It sound like you have
a corrupt file. Are you trying to open it from a floppy by any chance?

--
HTH

Sandy
In Perth, the ancient capital of Scotland
and the crowning place of kings


Replace @mailinator.com with @tiscali.co.uk


"oldbbplayer" wrote in message
...
I have a file that I need to open that was created in Excel 97 or an
earlier
version. When I try to open the file with Excel 2003, I get a message
that
the file is in an "unrecognizable format." Is there any need for special
software to open such files? Unfortunately I do not have any old versions
of
Excel to try. Thanks, Fred.

That is a possibility, however it is located on my c: drive.

"Sandy Mann" wrote:

As I understand it all versions of Xl from XL97 to 2003 have the same format
and older versions should be opened without problem. It sound like you have
a corrupt file. Are you trying to open it from a floppy by any chance?

--
HTH

Sandy
In Perth, the ancient capital of Scotland
and the crowning place of kings


Replace @mailinator.com with @tiscali.co.uk


"oldbbplayer" wrote in message
...
I have a file that I need to open that was created in Excel 97 or an
earlier
version. When I try to open the file with Excel 2003, I get a message
that
the file is in an "unrecognizable format." Is there any need for special
software to open such files? Unfortunately I do not have any old versions
of
Excel to try. Thanks, Fred.