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Can't Open Excel Files

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wr4
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Can't Open Excel Files

Is anyone running this on XP? I just 'installed' the latest version (on XP Pro SP3) and it will not open Excel files (xlsx, xlsm), but it will open Word files; all saved in Office 2007.

The error box says General Error, General input/output error.

Anyone know how to fix this?

Wm ...
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possibly doesn't like the macros?

I can't test this as I am at home. let me know if this is still an issue.

Wm

wr4
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Yes, this is still an issue.

Yes, this is still an issue. I think I mentioned that the prior version would open the files without issue.

Wm ...
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triage

to test

1. try latest LO portable, out today, just in case

2. try LO non-portable, though I doubt it'll make any difference

3. use Excel to delete the macro and save as ...

I think you will find that the divergence of LO vs Excel macros is the problem.

Wm

wr4
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Thanks for your comments. 1.

Thanks for your comments.

1. try latest LO portable, out today, just in case

No luck with version 4.4.0 either.

2. try LO non-portable, though I doubt it'll make any difference

I'm not interested in installing LibreOffice. I have Office installed, and would like to move to a portable application.

3. use Excel to delete the macro and save as ...

The inability to open also applies to Excel files not containing any macros.

John T. Haller
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Troubleshoot

Installing LibreOffice locally is not meant as a permanent solution, it is a troubleshooting step to see if there is an issue with the portable package affecting this problem. Install LibreOffice locally, try opening the affected files with that. If it fails, it's a LibreOffice issue and you'll need to ask the publisher. If it works in the local version but not the portable one, then it's our problem and we need to figure out what's up.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Wm ...
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not opening files without macros is very unusual

you say
===
The inability to open also applies to Excel files not containing any macros.
===
in my experience that is very unusual. What are the spreadsheets for ? Do they contain user defined functions ? Have they changed since the previous LO could open them ?

Wm

wr4
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Thank you for your replies. I

Thank you for your replies.

I installed LibreOffice 4.4.0 and it also failed to open any of the Excel files I had previously saved in Excel 2007 (Word files do open).

As I previously mentioned, an older version (I think 4.2.8) does open the Excel files without any problems.

I put a note on the LibreOfficeForum.org forum, on January 29; no replies. I'll see if I can contact the publisher directly, as noted.

John T. Haller
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Windows XP Specific

I just realized you said you were still running Windows XP. That's your cause right there. From LibreOffice 4.3 on some components have had issues running properly on Windows XP as modern compilers don't properly support it anymore. They've been making some effort to restore full functionality, but as Windows XP is discontinued and unsupported, I'm unsure of the priority level.

For now, you should stick with 4.2 or upgrade your OS.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

wr4
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Thanks for your comments. I

Thanks for your comments.

I just looked at your page for LibreOffice Portable and it lists XP in the System Requirements. Perhaps this should be removed.

I'm still surprised that Word files open OK, but not Excel ones.

Again, thanks for clearing this up. I'll wait until I get a new OS, perhaps a Linux variation, before moving to LibreOffice current.

John T. Haller
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Mostly Works

It's listed because it mostly works. As a dead and insecure OS, Windows XP is basically best effort. We don't test all our apps on Windows XP any longer as it's a poor use of limited resources. The base app publishers don't announce when they drop Windows XP anymore, the apps just stop working. They usually only list "Windows" as the system requirement. They usually stop working not through any 'let's stop supporting Windows XP' discussion, but just because none of the major compilers support Windows XP anymore and no one wants to get stuck using a clunky old version of Visual Studio to compile in.

Our tools continue to work in Windows XP and we specifically ensure that our compiler for the PA.c Platform (Delphi) creates an EXE that works under XP even though its system requirements are listed as "Vista and up".

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Wm ...
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As expected LO 4.4.0 + Excel SS work here on XP

I brought home the current set of spreadsheets and documents I'm working with under Win 8.n to try out on Win XP with LO Portable 4.4.0

The (non-trivial but no macros) spreadsheets are a mixture of Excel and LO and they've all opened up fine.

wr4: 1) can you use LO 4.4.0 calc at all ?
2) does your cpu have SSE2 ?

The reason it works for me but not for you may lie in the SSE2 or similar, i.e. a hardware rather than software issue. This was discussed a while back in some detail, search these forums for SSE2 and you'll see past discussion.

Wm

wr4
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Yes, I can use 4.4 Calc, at

Yes, I can use 4.4 Calc, at least it opens OK. I didn't try creating a new sheet since I was attempting to use already existing sheets.

After reading Mr. Haller's comments (very helpful, thank you) I've decided to abandon any attempt to use versions later than 4.2.8.

My CPU does not have SSE2. It does have SSE, but probably not current enough for version 4.4.

Thanks very much for your comments.

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