File not opening/displaying in 2004

[T.]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Intel

A particular file created in Excel 2004, very simple content - just about 10 worksheets with lists, so not even any formulas, references to other files, passwords, etc. - will not open.

More precisely, it says opening, then no file is displayed. This same thing occurs whether opening by double clicking on the file name in Finder, or in Excel with File Open, or File Open With. Other files are open.

So, saving and closing the other files, I then closed Excel to see if restarting it would allow me to open the file that would not display. I then had the message asking if I wanted to save the file changes made to the file (that had apparently opened, but never displayed).

It did then open after restarting Excel, but I am puzzled/concerned re: why this might be occurring - absolutely zero problems with Excel for what, nearly 20 years now? Using 2004 Mac for Office on MacBook.

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Intel

A particular file created in Excel 2004, very simple content - just about 10
worksheets with lists, so not even any formulas, references to other files,
passwords, etc. - will not open.

More precisely, it says opening, then no file is displayed. This same thing
occurs whether opening by double clicking on the file name in Finder, or in
Excel with File Open, or File Open With. Other files are open.

So, saving and closing the other files, I then closed Excel to see if
restarting it would allow me to open the file that would not display. I then
had the message asking if I wanted to save the file changes made to the file
(that had apparently opened, but never displayed).

It did then open after restarting Excel, but I am puzzled/concerned re: why
this might be occurring - absolutely zero problems with Excel for what, nearly
20 years now? Using 2004 Mac for Office on MacBook.

Was the file hidden? Was its name visible in the windows menu?

 

[T.]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Intel

A particular file created in Excel 2004, very simple content - just about 10
worksheets with lists, so not even any formulas, references to other files,
passwords, etc. - will not open.

More precisely, it says opening, then no file is displayed. This same thing
occurs whether opening by double clicking on the file name in Finder, or in
Excel with File Open, or File Open With. Other files are open.

So, saving and closing the other files, I then closed Excel to see if
restarting it would allow me to open the file that would not display. I then
had the message asking if I wanted to save the file changes made to the file
(that had apparently opened, but never displayed).

It did then open after restarting Excel, but I am puzzled/concerned re: why
this might be occurring - absolutely zero problems with Excel for what, nearly
20 years now? Using 2004 Mac for Office on MacBook.

Was the file hidden? Was its name visible in the windows menu?
[/QUOTE]
The file name was/is visible in the finder window. So it could be double clicked on, or selected as File Open from within Excel. Small info box would then show on center of screen for a few seconds ... "opening AA File.xls" as it does when opening any file. But file would not open, or at least, not be displayed (still a blank worksheet if one was open, or no worksheet if double clicked on Finder or Open With Excel)

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

The file name was/is visible in the finder window. So it could be double
clicked on, or selected as File Open from within Excel. Small info box would
then show on center of screen for a few seconds ... "opening AA File.xls" as
it does when opening any file. But file would not open, or at least, not be
displayed (still a blank worksheet if one was open, or no worksheet if double
clicked on Finder or Open With Excel)

After you think the file did not open, look in the Windows menu. Do you see
the file name? Is a check mark after the name? If so chose Windows-arrange.
If the file name is not visble in the windows menu, try Windows unhide.

 

[T.]

The file name was/is visible in the finder window. So it could be double
clicked on, or selected as File Open from within Excel. Small info box would
then show on center of screen for a few seconds ... "opening AA File.xls" as
it does when opening any file. But file would not open, or at least, not be
displayed (still a blank worksheet if one was open, or no worksheet if double
clicked on Finder or Open With Excel)

After you think the file did not open, look in the Windows menu. Do you see
the file name? Is a check mark after the name? If so chose Windows-arrange.
If the file name is not visble in the windows menu, try Windows unhide.

--
Bob Greenblatt [MVP], Macintosh
bobgreenblattATmsnDOTcom

Not sure what you are referring to by "Windows menu" The filename appeared normally in Mac Finder, no check marks, not grayed out.[/QUOTE]

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Not the finder window. After you have tried to open the file in Excel, look
in excel's windows menu.

 

[T.]

Not the finder window. After you have tried to open the file in Excel, look
in excel's windows menu.

--
Bob Greenblatt [MVP], Macintosh
bobgreenblattATmsnDOTcom

I see - the Excel files that are open are listed there, with the one currently active with a check mark by it. I did not look there when this one was not opening, but when closing all other open Excel files one by one before restarting Excel, it was not visible anywhere.[/QUOTE]

So original question, about why this might be occurring. Does Excel for Mac 2004 sometimes open a file, but not display it, or display it in a "Hide" mode that would requir

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

So original question, about why this might be occurring. Does Excel for Mac
2004 sometimes open a file, but not display it, or display it in a "Hide" mode
that would requir

This is not a trait unique to Excel 4. It can happen frequently and easily.
Example, you open file A and work on it for a while. Then later open file B
and work on that. For whatever reason, you decide to Hide file A so that you
can arrange windows on file B. Then later you quit Excel. When asked to save
changes to file A you say yes. Now file A is saved with its windows hidden.
It will open in this state next time it is opened.