File Open Dialog Box Is Blank in Excel

SUMMARY

The File Open command will produce a blank dialog box when you access a floppy disk drive with the disk removed.

MORE INFORMATION

Once a file is opened from a floppy disk drive in a Windows application such as Excel, the default drive for that application will be changed to that floppy drive. If you close the current file, remove the floppy and try to open another file, you will get the File Open dialog box with Blank Files and Directories list boxes.

Note: Project for Windows correctly tests for this error condition and recovers completely.

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Start the application.

2. Open a file from a floppy disk.

3. Close the file.

4. Remove the floppy disk.

5. From the File, menu choose Open.

Workarounds

Excel 2.1x will NOT be able to recover; a floppy must be placed in the floppy drive to correct the error condition.

Excel 3.00 will recover if you type a valid drive letter (for example, C) in the File Name box of the File Open Dialog box.

Excel for OS/2 will perform like Excel 3.00.

Word for Windows 1.10 will give an appropriate error message "Cannot read from drive A:." However, when you choose Cancel, the File Open dialog box is again blank. Enter a valid drive letter in the Open File Name box to correct this error condition.

PowerPoint for Windows acts the same as Word for Windows.

Project for Windows acts correctly. An error: "Cannot read from drive A:" is displayed, but when you choose OK, Project will default to the previous default drive (C:).