Windows cannot find file message
 

I have a strange problem when I try to open an Excel file from My Computer or
Windows Explorer. I get an error message to the effect that "Windows cannot
find the file c:\book1.xls' ,etc. etc. although the file definitey exists.
Not too sure what I've done, but any help fixing this problem would be most
gratefully received.

One possibility is that the file is nested too deep in the filing system.

There is a limit to the number of characters that can be used for a file
path. For Excel I thing this is about 234; for Windows it is more.

See if the name given in the "cannot open..." message has been truncated.
If so, then shorten the file name, or move it higher up the structure.

"Morpheus" wrote:

I have a strange problem when I try to open an Excel file from My Computer or
Windows Explorer. I get an error message to the effect that "Windows cannot
find the file c:\book1.xls' ,etc. etc. although the file definitey exists.
Not too sure what I've done, but any help fixing this problem would be most
gratefully received.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the response. Unfortunately this is not the problem. It happens
even if I attempt to open a file in the root of C drive as in C:book1.xls.
The whole filepath and name is visible in the error message.
Regards,
Morpheus

"MikeDb" wrote:

One possibility is that the file is nested too deep in the filing system.

There is a limit to the number of characters that can be used for a file
path. For Excel I thing this is about 234; for Windows it is more.

See if the name given in the "cannot open..." message has been truncated.
If so, then shorten the file name, or move it higher up the structure.

"Morpheus" wrote:

I have a strange problem when I try to open an Excel file from My Computer or
Windows Explorer. I get an error message to the effect that "Windows cannot
find the file c:\book1.xls' ,etc. etc. although the file definitey exists.
Not too sure what I've done, but any help fixing this problem would be most
gratefully received.

Are there spaces in that path\filename?

Sometimes one of these works:

Tools|Options|General|Ignore other applications (uncheck it)

--- or ---

Close Excel and
Windows Start Button|Run
excel /unregserver
then
Windows Start Button|Run
excel /regserver

The /unregserver & /regserver stuff resets the windows registry to excel's
factory defaults.

Morpheus wrote:

I have a strange problem when I try to open an Excel file from My Computer or
Windows Explorer. I get an error message to the effect that "Windows cannot
find the file c:\book1.xls' ,etc. etc. although the file definitey exists.
Not too sure what I've done, but any help fixing this problem would be most
gratefully received.

--

Dave Peterson

Morph

The standard fixes for this problem.......

ToolsOptionsGeneral uncheck "Ignore other Applications"
Exit Excel and try again

If this doesn't work try to re-register Excel

Close Excel first and
On the Windows Taskbar

1) StartRun "excel.exe /unregserver"(no quotes)OK.
2) StartRun "excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)OK.
See the space between exe and /regserver

You might have to designate a full path to excel.exe.
In that case StartRun "C:\yourpath\excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)OK.

One more thing to try if any of the above brings no joy.........

Go to StartSettingsFolderOptionsFile Types. Scroll down to MS Excel
Worksheet. Then if running Win98 OS Edit select "Open" and Edit.

If using WinXP OS you would scroll down to .XLS then "Advanced"OpenEdit.

In Command line the path should be similar to this....

"C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\EXCEL.EXE" /e (delete the <sp/e if
you want Book1 to open.

You must have the double quotes.

Below have "use DDE" checked and this in the DDE message box....[open("%1")]

Application should read "Excel"(no quotes)

Your other program errors will have to be addressed elsewhere. I suggest

microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

Gord Dibben Excel MVP


On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 00:59:06 -0800, "Morpheus"
wrote:

I have a strange problem when I try to open an Excel file from My Computer or
Windows Explorer. I get an error message to the effect that "Windows cannot
find the file c:\book1.xls' ,etc. etc. although the file definitey exists.
Not too sure what I've done, but any help fixing this problem would be most
gratefully received.

Marvellous!! The Tools|Options|General|Ignore other applications suggesytion
worked. Thank you so much!!
Regards,
Morpheus

"Dave Peterson" wrote:

Are there spaces in that path\filename?

Sometimes one of these works:

Tools|Options|General|Ignore other applications (uncheck it)

--- or ---

Close Excel and
Windows Start Button|Run
excel /unregserver
then
Windows Start Button|Run
excel /regserver

The /unregserver & /regserver stuff resets the windows registry to excel's
factory defaults.

Morpheus wrote:

I have a strange problem when I try to open an Excel file from My Computer or
Windows Explorer. I get an error message to the effect that "Windows cannot
find the file c:\book1.xls' ,etc. etc. although the file definitey exists.
Not too sure what I've done, but any help fixing this problem would be most
gratefully received.

--

Dave Peterson