XL: Data Lost When File Saved in .DBF File Format

 Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
Article ID: Q46228

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Micorosft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

When you save a Microsoft Excel file to the dBASE (.dbf) file format, only the list containing the currently selected cell or the area that has a defined name "database" is saved to the new file. Any data that does not fall within that range is lost.

Note also that only the selected worksheet in the workbook is saved to the dBASE file format.

MORE INFORMATION

When you save a file to the dBASE file format in Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 or later, only the currently selected list, the list containing the currently selected cell, or the range with the defined name "database" is saved. A range on the worksheet that has the defined name "database" will take precedence over the selected list (that is, the .dbf file will contain the data from the "database" rather than the data from the selected list). If no list is found on the worksheet, you receive the following error message: 

   No list found. Select a single cell within your list and Microsoft Excel
   will select the list for you.
When you save your file to the dBASE file format, options set in the Page Setup dialog box are lost. For example, if you go to the Page tab in the Page Setup dialog box and set the scale to 75%, the scale will revert to 100% if you close the file (saving any changes) and reopen it in Microsoft Excel.

Additional query words: 5.00 5.00c 7.00 change update
Version : WINDOWS: 5.0, 5.0c, 7.0, 97; MACINTOSH: 5.0, 5.0a, 98
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.