Excel Err Msg: "File Format Is Not Valid" with Linked DocumentLast reviewed: October 13, 1995Article ID: Q30583 |
The information in this article applies to:
SYMPTOMSIn Microsoft Excel, if you attempt to update links to a closed file that is saved in a file format other than Microsoft Excel (for example if you save it in the text file format), you may receive the following error message:
External Copy: file format is not valid CAUSEFor a list of the file types that you cannot update links to if the linked- to file is closed, see the following table. In the table, "x" means that the file format causes the error message and "No error" means that the file format does not cause the error message.
Formats that may return an MS Excel 3.0 error message or earlier MS Excel 4.0 MS Excel 5.0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Text x x x CSV x x x SYLK x x x WKS x x No error WK1 x x No error WK3 x x No error DIF x x x DBF2 x x x DBF3 x x x DBF4 x x x MS Excel 2.1 x No error No error MS Excel 3.0 No error No error No error MS Excel 4.0 N/A No error No error WORKAROUNDSTo avoid receiving this error message, use any of the following methods. Method 1: Open the external file before you attempt to update links to it. Method 2: Save the file in a file format that allows you to update links when the linked-to worksheet is closed. MORE INFORMATIONMicrosoft Excel 5.0 and later: For more information about File Formats (Windows) or File Formats (Macintosh), choose the Search button in Help, and type the following:
file formats, definedFor an Overview of Linking and Embedding, choose the Search button in Help and type the following:
Links command (Edit menu), purposeMicrosoft Excel 4.0: "User's Guide," version 4.0, pages 127-136 Microsoft Excel 3.0: "User's Guide," version 3.0 for Windows, pages 316-325 "User's Guide," version 3.0 for the Macintosh, 308-317
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