Excel: SOUND.PLAY() Function Cannot Play Compressed Wave Files

 Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
Article ID: Q102436
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you use a SOUND.PLAY() macro to play a compressed wave file, the macro statement will return an error.

CAUSE

The Microsoft Windows Sound System allows you to change the compression ratio of wave files to 4 bits per sample. However, if you attempt to play a compressed wave file (4 bits per sample) with the SOUND.PLAY() function, you will receive a macro error.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the Quick Recorder to set the compression ratio for wave files.

NOTE: Quick Recorder is an application that ships with the Microsoft Windows Sound System.

To set the compression ratio:

  1. Start the Quick Recorder.

  2. From the Options menu, choose the Compression command. The Compression dialog box appears.

  3. Select the ratio you want.

  4. Choose the OK button.

  5. From the File menu, choose Save.

NOTE: The SOUND.PLAY() function can play wave files with Normal compression (8 bits per sample) and High Fidelity (16 bits per sample).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Windows Sound System User's Guide," page 79 "Function Reference," page 415

KBCategory: kbsound
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: wss 4.00



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Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
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