.xlsb file opened in Excel 2003

[mikeymay]

I have a template file that I would like 2003 users to be able to open as a .xlsb file that gets converted upon opening.

When the file is opened in 2003 I get a warning message about named ranges and/or ranges going beyond 2003's capabilities but upon checking the ranges there is nothing in the Name Manager list of named ranges that go beyond column IV or row 65536.

Currently the file is saved as a .xls via 2007 and when opened in 2003 I don't get any issues, but if saved as a .xlsb file via 2007, the error messgae is displayed when it is then opened in 2003.

I need to save as a .xlsb to reduce the file size (6.5mb as .xls v 700ish k in .xlsb).

Thanks

 

[patel45]

try saving as xlb, not xlsb

 

[mikeymay]

How do you do that?

The only option for any type of Binary file in the file type list saves the file as .xlsb....?

 

[Firefly2012]

You can't save it as an xlb file.

If your users have the compatibility pack installed (and so can open the xlsb in Excel 2003) what is the problem? Just ignore the warnings.

 

[mikeymay]

Unfortunately I can't just ask the users to ignore the warning as it's going out to about 220 users, some of which will panic at the sight of a warning message no matter how much you tell them to ignore it and email/call me every month asking if it's OK to use.

Also, I would prefer to send out a file that 'works' as I wouldn't like to receive a file that straight away gave me a warning message. I would question the integrity of the file if it was me.

The users do have the compatability pack installed so not problem converting other than the warning message receive upon opening.

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

I would check the range references again. I don't get that warning when opening an xlsb in Excel 2003 provided that I haven't used or referred to any cells outside the limits. If you are still stuck you can put the workbook on a share like Box.com, post a link to it and someone may take a look.

 

[mikeymay]

Thanks Andrew.

Won't be able to put the file on as my corporate network won't allow me to upload files to the internet.

The template file is saved as a .xls file so when I open the template in both platforms I don't get an error message, but as soon as it is saved as a .xlsb file, that's when I get the error message when opening in 2003.

 

[Firefly2012]

Do you have any dynamically defined ranges in the template file? Or formulas referring to the entire worksheet contents?

 

[mikeymay]

The ranges are already in the template file and if anythign reduce when non populated rows are deleted.

There aren't any ranges that refer to thw whole worksheet. The only thing I can think of is any SUMIF formulas that refer to whole columns rather than a range, but surely excel would deal with and not expect more than 65k rows if the platform is 2003?

 

[Firefly2012]

Do you have any dynamically defined ranges in the template file?

Do you have any dynamically defined ranges in the templates file?