Pocket XL: "Error Occurred" Opening File in Invalid Format

• Microsoft Pocket Excel for Windows CE

SYMPTOMS

When you open a file in Microsoft Pocket Excel for Windows CE, you may receive one of the following error messages:

   An error occurred reading '<Filename>' because the file is in an
   invalid format.

   -or-

   This file is in an obsolete format.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you open a file that is stored in any format other than the Pocket Excel Documents (*.pxl) format. For example, this problem occurs when you try to open the following formats:

• Text files (*.txt, *.csv)
• Microsoft Excel 4.0 workbooks (*.xlw)
• Lotus 1-2-3 files (*.wk4, *.wk3, *.wk1, *.wks, and so on)
• Quattro Pro files (*.wq1, *.wb1, *.wq2, *.wb2, and so on)
• SYLK files (*.slk)

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, convert the files to the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format before you transfer them to the handheld PC. To convert the files, use one of the following methods.

Using Microsoft Excel to Convert Files

In most cases, you can use Microsoft Excel for Windows to convert files to the correct format. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Excel for Windows, click Open on the File menu. Select the file you want to convert and click Open.

2. On the File menu, click Save As.

3. In the Save File As Type dialog box, select the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format. Then, click Save.

Using a Third-Party Program to Convert Files

You can also use a third-party program to convert files to the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls) format. This may be necessary if your files have been saved in a format that Microsoft Excel cannot open, such as a newer Lotus 1-2-3 or Quattro Pro file format. After you convert the files, you can transfer them to the handheld PC and open them in Microsoft Pocket Excel without receiving any error messages.

One third-party program that supports newer Lotus 1-2-3 and Quattro Pro file formats is Conversions Plus for Windows, by DataViz, Inc. For information about Conversions Plus for Windows, use your Web browser to go to the following address:

   http://www.dataviz.com/

   ARTICLE-ID: Q65416
   TITLE     : Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

   ARTICLE-ID: Q60781
   TITLE     : Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

   ARTICLE-ID: Q60782
   TITLE     : Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Conversions Plus for Windows is manufactured by DataViz, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are using Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows to convert files for use in Microsoft Pocket Excel, do not save the files in the Microsoft Excel workbook format. If you do this, you receive the following error message when you attempt to open the files on the handheld PC

   Cannot convert file '<Filename>'.

   This Microsoft Excel file was created in a version of Microsoft Excel
   that is not supported by the selected converter. The Pocket Excel
   converter can only convert Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 files.