XL5: Crash When Using Replace Command with Long Formulas

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for the Power Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for NT, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, when you use the Replace command (Edit menu) on a spreadsheet or a cell range that contains long formulas, you may receive one of the following error messages, depending on the version of Microsoft Excel you are using:

If you are using Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

   Excel caused a General Protection Fault in module EXCEL.EXE at
   009E:1EB9

If you are using Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0c

   Excel caused a General Protection Fault in module EXCEL.EXE at
   00A4:1F4B

If you are using Microsoft Excel for NT, version 5.0

   Exception: access violation (0xc0000005), Address: 0x4903050f

   -or-

   Exception: access violation (0xc0000005), Address: 0x00049a5a

If you are using Microsoft Excel 5.0 or 5.0a for the Macintosh

   The application "unknown" has unexpectedly quit, because an error of
   type xx occurred.

   NOTE: "xx" can be 1 or 15.

If you are using Microsoft Excel 5.0 or 5.0a for the Power Macintosh

   Sorry, a system error occurred. "Microsoft Excel" error type 11

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Microsoft Excel may replace a portion of long formulas that have a length of approximately 500 characters or more.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use any of the following methods.

Method 1

Manually edit the long formulas to make the changes.

Method 2

Split the long formulas into smaller ones that are less than 500 characters each.

Method 3

To replace text in long formulas without having to redesign or split the formulas up, you can copy the formulas into a word processor or text editor (such as Microsoft Word or Write) that has replace capabilities, and replace the text there. (Note that tabs must be preserved when dealing with more than 1 column of formulas). Then, copy and paste the replaced formulas back to the spreadsheet. To do this, use the following steps:

1. On the Tools menu in Microsoft Excel, click Options.

2. Click the View tab. Select the Formulas check box, and then click OK.

3. Select the range of cells that contain the long formulas, and on the Edit menu, click Copy.

4. Switch to a text editor or word processor, and paste the formulas into the word processor, and perform a replace operation.

5. Copy the changed formulas back to the Clipboard.

6. Switch back to Microsoft Excel, and on the Edit menu, click Paste.

7. On the Tools menu, click Options.

8. Click the View tab. Clear the Formulas check box, and then click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the above products. This problem is corrected in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0, Microsoft Excel 97, and Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.