XL2000: Methods for Recovering Data from Damaged Workbooks

ID: Q179871

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel 2000

SUMMARY

There are several methods that you can use to recover information from damaged or corrupted files. This article discusses those methods and points you to other Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that discuss the methods in greater detail.

Methods for Recovering Data in Corrupted Microsoft Excel Files

  • Use external references to link to the corrupted file.


  • If you can open the file, save it in the SYLK format.


  • Use the Revert To Saved Document command.


  • If a chart is linked to the corrupted file, use a macro to extract the data.


  • Use the Microsoft Excel File Recovery Macro.


  • Open the file in Microsoft Word.


  • Open the file by using Microsoft Excel Viewer.



MORE INFORMATION

Using External References to Recover Data

The most common method to recover information from a damaged file is to extract the values from the file by using external references to link to the file. The file structure must be complete; otherwise, Microsoft Excel cannot read the information.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q214253 XL2000: Linking to Data in a Damaged File

Saving the File in the SYLK Format

If you can open the corrupted Microsoft Excel file, you can "filter" it by saving the file in the SYLK format, closing the file, and then reopening it.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q214147 XL: Handling Corrupted Excel Files by Saving in the SYLK Format

Using the Revert To Saved Document Command to Recover Data

If you are editing a Microsoft Excel worksheet and the file accidentally becomes corrupted before you have saved changes to the file, you can recover the original worksheet by doing the following:

  1. On the File menu, click Open and select the name of the file that you are editing. Note that a dialog box appears with the message "Revert to Saved Document?"


  2. Click OK. The file you are editing reverts to the last saved version of the file.


Using a Macro to Extract the Data in a Chart

In Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later, data may be retrieved from a chart, even when the data is in an external worksheet or workbook. This behavior can be useful in situations where the chart was created from or linked to another file that is unavailable or has been damaged in some way.

When the source data to a chart is lost, you can still retrieve the data from the chart itself by using a Visual Basic for Applications macro.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q213814 XL2000: Macro to Extract Data from a Chart

Using the Microsoft Excel File Recovery Macro to Recover Information

If you can open the workbook in Microsoft Excel, you can use the Microsoft Excel File Recovery Macro to re-create Excel worksheets, XLM macro sheets, and module sheets in a new workbook. This macro also creates a log file so that you can identify items that cause problems when you use the macro to transfer them to the new worksheet. If the Microsoft Excel File Recovery Macro fails, view the last entry in the log file to determine which item causes the problem, and then re-create the workbook without that item.

To find information about this macro, or to download this macro, go to the Office Resource Kit that is located at the following Internet address:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/

Open the File in Microsoft Word or WordPad

If you have the Microsoft Excel converter installed, you may be able to open your Microsoft Excel workbook in Microsoft Word. If the file does open in Microsoft Word, you will not be able to recover module sheets, dialog sheets, chart sheets, macro sheets, or any embedded charts. Also, you will not recover any cell formulas, just the results of those formulas that are currently in the cells.

You can also open your Microsoft Excel workbook in WordPad. If the file does open, you may be able to recover Visual Basic code in your modules and class modules. Search for the words "Sub" or "Function" to find your code.

Additional query words: XL2000 corrupt

Keywords : xlloadsave
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: January 5, 2000
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