XL98: Alternate Startup File Location Box Is Cleared

• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

After you enter an alternate startup file location in Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, the next time you check the Alternate Startup File Location box, it is blank.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you enter a path to a folder that does not exist in the Alternate Startup File Location box.

WORKAROUND

To workaround this behavior, create the folder you want to use before you enter the path to the folder in the Alternate Startup File Location box.

For example, to create an alternate startup folder, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the hard disk.

2. On the File menu, click New Folder. Type "Test" (without the quotation marks) to name the folder. Press RETURN.

   Note the path to the folder. For example, if the hard disk is named "Harddrive," the path is Harddrive:Test.

   NOTE: You can also check the path by double-clicking the folder, and then clicking Get Info on the File menu. The path to the folder is the the text that appears after the "Where" label followed by the folder name that is listed next to the folder at the top of the dialog box.

3. Start Microsoft Excel 98.

4. On the Tools menu, click Preferences. Click the General tab. In the Alternate Startup File Location box, type the path to the folder that you created in step 2. Click OK.

STATUS

This behavior is by design in Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

MORE INFORMATION

The changes you make to the alternate startup file location do not take effect until you restart Excel.

REFERENCES

For more information about the alternate startup file location, click the Index button in Microsoft Excel Help, and type the following text

   alternate startup folder