XL97: Error Creating Circular References Between Instances

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you quit Microsoft Excel 97, you may receive the following error message:

   This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.

   EXCEL caused an invalid page fault in module EXCEL.EXE at
   0137:30295ab2.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if you create a circular reference between two separate instances of Microsoft Excel 97, and then attempt to quit both instances.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, avoid creating circular references between cells in worksheets in different instances of Microsoft Excel 97.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel, a circular reference is formed when a cell refers to itself through one or more other cells. For example, both of the following sets of formulas create circular references

   A1: =B1      E1: =F1
   B1: =A1      F1: =G1+K2
                G1: =E1

Microsoft Excel warns you if you create a circular reference, either by displaying a dialog box or by displaying a message in the status bar.

However, if you create a circular reference between cells in different instances of Microsoft Excel, you are not warned about the presence of the circular reference. Also, depending on the way you quit Microsoft Excel 97, you may receive an invalid page fault when you close the second instance of Microsoft Excel 97.