Older version of Excel will not open XLSX files
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I've been using an old version of Office 97 (with Macros disabled for security) for some time. Recently I got a new Windows 10 v1803 PC and re-installed Office 97. With the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack installed, Word opens every .docx file I've tried...but Excel always fails to open .xlsx files with this message:
I have tried:
- Opening file in Google Sheets and exporting as a fresh
.xlsxfile - Installed SP1, SP2 & SP3 for
Office 2007 Compatibility Pack
- Renamed the extension from
.xlsxto.xls(why this is supposed to work beats me, but I found this suggestion in an online search)
Always the same result of "Not recognised". This worked on my earlier Windows 8.1 machine. Any ideas?
UPDATE
Based on one of the comments, I upgraded my installation from Office 97 SR-1 to SR-2. However, the result is the same: Word opens .docx files but Excel is not able to open .xlsx files. The Compatibility mode for Excel has also been switched between Off and various Windows XP modes without helping.
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2007 compatibility
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
|
show 5 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
I've been using an old version of Office 97 (with Macros disabled for security) for some time. Recently I got a new Windows 10 v1803 PC and re-installed Office 97. With the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack installed, Word opens every .docx file I've tried...but Excel always fails to open .xlsx files with this message:
I have tried:
- Opening file in Google Sheets and exporting as a fresh
.xlsxfile - Installed SP1, SP2 & SP3 for
Office 2007 Compatibility Pack
- Renamed the extension from
.xlsxto.xls(why this is supposed to work beats me, but I found this suggestion in an online search)
Always the same result of "Not recognised". This worked on my earlier Windows 8.1 machine. Any ideas?
UPDATE
Based on one of the comments, I upgraded my installation from Office 97 SR-1 to SR-2. However, the result is the same: Word opens .docx files but Excel is not able to open .xlsx files. The Compatibility mode for Excel has also been switched between Off and various Windows XP modes without helping.
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2007 compatibility
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
Does the file name contain any reserved characters? Does the file have 2 extensions (have you turned on show extensions)?
– spikey_richie
Nov 15 at 15:46
Ideas: Install a current MS Office version; install the free WPS.
– GabrielaGarcia
Nov 15 at 15:46
Have you set Office 97 programs to run in Compatibility Mode? What if you run Excel.exe in compatibility mode (assuming Office 2007 compatibility pack is installed) and try to open the file from File - Open Menu?
– pat2015
Nov 15 at 16:11
note that a xlsx is a zip file of many xml files. rename it to .zip, and look at the details. my guess is that there is a feature used that the converter doesn't understand, or you don't have zip installed?
– Aganju
Nov 15 at 16:12
1
While you check out the file as @Aganju suggests, you may as well look at the version of Excel the XLSX was saved in (indocPropsapp.xml. It might be that the compatibility pack can't handle files saved with more recent version Excel than 2007.
– cybernetic.nomad
Nov 15 at 16:24
|
show 5 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
I've been using an old version of Office 97 (with Macros disabled for security) for some time. Recently I got a new Windows 10 v1803 PC and re-installed Office 97. With the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack installed, Word opens every .docx file I've tried...but Excel always fails to open .xlsx files with this message:
I have tried:
- Opening file in Google Sheets and exporting as a fresh
.xlsxfile - Installed SP1, SP2 & SP3 for
Office 2007 Compatibility Pack
- Renamed the extension from
.xlsxto.xls(why this is supposed to work beats me, but I found this suggestion in an online search)
Always the same result of "Not recognised". This worked on my earlier Windows 8.1 machine. Any ideas?
UPDATE
Based on one of the comments, I upgraded my installation from Office 97 SR-1 to SR-2. However, the result is the same: Word opens .docx files but Excel is not able to open .xlsx files. The Compatibility mode for Excel has also been switched between Off and various Windows XP modes without helping.
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2007 compatibility
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
I've been using an old version of Office 97 (with Macros disabled for security) for some time. Recently I got a new Windows 10 v1803 PC and re-installed Office 97. With the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack installed, Word opens every .docx file I've tried...but Excel always fails to open .xlsx files with this message:
I have tried:
- Opening file in Google Sheets and exporting as a fresh
.xlsxfile - Installed SP1, SP2 & SP3 for
Office 2007 Compatibility Pack
- Renamed the extension from
.xlsxto.xls(why this is supposed to work beats me, but I found this suggestion in an online search)
Always the same result of "Not recognised". This worked on my earlier Windows 8.1 machine. Any ideas?
UPDATE
Based on one of the comments, I upgraded my installation from Office 97 SR-1 to SR-2. However, the result is the same: Word opens .docx files but Excel is not able to open .xlsx files. The Compatibility mode for Excel has also been switched between Off and various Windows XP modes without helping.
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2007 compatibility
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2007 compatibility
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
edited Nov 16 at 16:11
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
asked Nov 15 at 15:41
AlainD
1,62941535
1,62941535
Does the file name contain any reserved characters? Does the file have 2 extensions (have you turned on show extensions)?
– spikey_richie
Nov 15 at 15:46
Ideas: Install a current MS Office version; install the free WPS.
– GabrielaGarcia
Nov 15 at 15:46
Have you set Office 97 programs to run in Compatibility Mode? What if you run Excel.exe in compatibility mode (assuming Office 2007 compatibility pack is installed) and try to open the file from File - Open Menu?
– pat2015
Nov 15 at 16:11
note that a xlsx is a zip file of many xml files. rename it to .zip, and look at the details. my guess is that there is a feature used that the converter doesn't understand, or you don't have zip installed?
– Aganju
Nov 15 at 16:12
1
While you check out the file as @Aganju suggests, you may as well look at the version of Excel the XLSX was saved in (indocPropsapp.xml. It might be that the compatibility pack can't handle files saved with more recent version Excel than 2007.
– cybernetic.nomad
Nov 15 at 16:24
|
show 5 more comments
Does the file name contain any reserved characters? Does the file have 2 extensions (have you turned on show extensions)?
– spikey_richie
Nov 15 at 15:46
Ideas: Install a current MS Office version; install the free WPS.
– GabrielaGarcia
Nov 15 at 15:46
Have you set Office 97 programs to run in Compatibility Mode? What if you run Excel.exe in compatibility mode (assuming Office 2007 compatibility pack is installed) and try to open the file from File - Open Menu?
– pat2015
Nov 15 at 16:11
note that a xlsx is a zip file of many xml files. rename it to .zip, and look at the details. my guess is that there is a feature used that the converter doesn't understand, or you don't have zip installed?
– Aganju
Nov 15 at 16:12
1
While you check out the file as @Aganju suggests, you may as well look at the version of Excel the XLSX was saved in (indocPropsapp.xml. It might be that the compatibility pack can't handle files saved with more recent version Excel than 2007.
– cybernetic.nomad
Nov 15 at 16:24
Does the file name contain any reserved characters? Does the file have 2 extensions (have you turned on show extensions)?
– spikey_richie
Nov 15 at 15:46
Does the file name contain any reserved characters? Does the file have 2 extensions (have you turned on show extensions)?
– spikey_richie
Nov 15 at 15:46
Ideas: Install a current MS Office version; install the free WPS.
– GabrielaGarcia
Nov 15 at 15:46
Ideas: Install a current MS Office version; install the free WPS.
– GabrielaGarcia
Nov 15 at 15:46
Have you set Office 97 programs to run in Compatibility Mode? What if you run Excel.exe in compatibility mode (assuming Office 2007 compatibility pack is installed) and try to open the file from File - Open Menu?
– pat2015
Nov 15 at 16:11
Have you set Office 97 programs to run in Compatibility Mode? What if you run Excel.exe in compatibility mode (assuming Office 2007 compatibility pack is installed) and try to open the file from File - Open Menu?
– pat2015
Nov 15 at 16:11
note that a xlsx is a zip file of many xml files. rename it to .zip, and look at the details. my guess is that there is a feature used that the converter doesn't understand, or you don't have zip installed?
– Aganju
Nov 15 at 16:12
note that a xlsx is a zip file of many xml files. rename it to .zip, and look at the details. my guess is that there is a feature used that the converter doesn't understand, or you don't have zip installed?
– Aganju
Nov 15 at 16:12
1
1
While you check out the file as @Aganju suggests, you may as well look at the version of Excel the XLSX was saved in (in
docPropsapp.xml. It might be that the compatibility pack can't handle files saved with more recent version Excel than 2007.– cybernetic.nomad
Nov 15 at 16:24
While you check out the file as @Aganju suggests, you may as well look at the version of Excel the XLSX was saved in (in
docPropsapp.xml. It might be that the compatibility pack can't handle files saved with more recent version Excel than 2007.– cybernetic.nomad
Nov 15 at 16:24
|
show 5 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
The
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (SP3)
is supposed to enable using the new format in older Office versions.
You should be using Office 97 SR-2 with all possible updates.
Better take backup of your installation before starting, just in case.
If Service Pack 3 is too recent for your setup, then there also exist
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 1 (SP1) and
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2).
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am usingOffice 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens.docxfine.
– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
The
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (SP3)
is supposed to enable using the new format in older Office versions.
You should be using Office 97 SR-2 with all possible updates.
Better take backup of your installation before starting, just in case.
If Service Pack 3 is too recent for your setup, then there also exist
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 1 (SP1) and
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2).
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am usingOffice 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens.docxfine.
– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (SP3)
is supposed to enable using the new format in older Office versions.
You should be using Office 97 SR-2 with all possible updates.
Better take backup of your installation before starting, just in case.
If Service Pack 3 is too recent for your setup, then there also exist
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 1 (SP1) and
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2).
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am usingOffice 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens.docxfine.
– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (SP3)
is supposed to enable using the new format in older Office versions.
You should be using Office 97 SR-2 with all possible updates.
Better take backup of your installation before starting, just in case.
If Service Pack 3 is too recent for your setup, then there also exist
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 1 (SP1) and
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2).
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
The
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (SP3)
is supposed to enable using the new format in older Office versions.
You should be using Office 97 SR-2 with all possible updates.
Better take backup of your installation before starting, just in case.
If Service Pack 3 is too recent for your setup, then there also exist
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 1 (SP1) and
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2).
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
answered Nov 15 at 16:49
harrymc
248k10257546
248k10257546
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am usingOffice 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens.docxfine.
– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
add a comment |
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am usingOffice 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens.docxfine.
– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am using
Office 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens .docx fine.– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
Have tried SP1, SP2 and SP3 with the same issue...but just checked my Excel Help > About and am using
Office 97 SR-1. That might be the problem, then. Wonder why it worked on Windows 8.1 then. Note that Word opens .docx fine.– AlainD
Nov 15 at 17:10
add a comment |
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Does the file name contain any reserved characters? Does the file have 2 extensions (have you turned on show extensions)?
– spikey_richie
Nov 15 at 15:46
Ideas: Install a current MS Office version; install the free WPS.
– GabrielaGarcia
Nov 15 at 15:46
Have you set Office 97 programs to run in Compatibility Mode? What if you run Excel.exe in compatibility mode (assuming Office 2007 compatibility pack is installed) and try to open the file from File - Open Menu?
– pat2015
Nov 15 at 16:11
note that a xlsx is a zip file of many xml files. rename it to .zip, and look at the details. my guess is that there is a feature used that the converter doesn't understand, or you don't have zip installed?
– Aganju
Nov 15 at 16:12
1
While you check out the file as @Aganju suggests, you may as well look at the version of Excel the XLSX was saved in (in
docPropsapp.xml. It might be that the compatibility pack can't handle files saved with more recent version Excel than 2007.– cybernetic.nomad
Nov 15 at 16:24