posted on January 9, 2001 01:36:11 PM
Well, maybe it won't take a genius to solve this problem for me, but it's definitely more than I can resolve with my limited computer skills. I received an email attachment today in .xls format, clicked on it to open it, got a screen asking whether I wanted to open now or save to disk. I clicked to open now, which brought up a screen asking what program to use to open it. Like a dummy (at least I guess this was the mistake), I clicked on Acrobat Reader. The Acrobat Reader screen came up and then I got a message that there was an error opening the document and the file doesn't exist. I'm assuming that this is because it isn't in a format that Acrobat can open??? Not only can I not open that attachment, but I just tried to open another attachment and it did the same thing. I've tried all kinds of things and nothing seems to solve the problem. Is there someway that I can correct this--let's say by finding out how to change the program used to open attachments? Sure hope I haven't caused some kind of irreversible catastrophe. I would appreciate all help--thanks!
posted on January 9, 2001 02:07:50 PM
If you just want to print it out (you are not trying to enter any data) and you don't have a program that reads spreadsheet files, here is a quick way to make do.
Right click on the .XLS file, and open it with Quick View. Once it is open, stretch the Quick View box to the desired size by grabbing a corner of the box and dragging. Using the scroll bars, get the view you want on the screen and hit the "Print Screen" key on the keyboard.
Next, right click on a blank space on the desktop, select "New" -> "Bitmap Image", and double click on the icon that is created on the desktop to open it. Select "Edit" -> "Paste" to insert the view of the spreadsheet you copied. You can print this image, and repeat as needed.
I know it's not fancy, but if all you need is to print the file, it works.
posted on January 9, 2001 02:08:33 PM
yes, .xls is an excel spreadsheet, which you won't typically be able to open unless you have excel or something similar. If you just want to see what's in it, ask the sender to print it to disk in text format and have them email you that.
posted on January 9, 2001 02:12:24 PM
With Windows 98:
On your desktop, select the "My Computer" icon. Then click on the "View" menu and select "Folder options". In the window that appears, select the tab "File Types".
Check the file types of Adobe Acrobat (should be .PDF) and Microsoft Excel (should be .XLS) and change them if necessary. That's all!
(Some of the menus possibly have other names/descriptions, I loosely translated them from Dutch to English)
posted on January 9, 2001 02:15:29 PM
First off, this is an Excel file, and you will need MS Excel to open it.
You didn't say if the other attachments are also the same .xls format that are now trying to open in Acrobat reader. It's possible that when you clicked Open, and the prompt came up asking which program to use to open it, you "reset" your file associations for .xls files to Acrobat Reader. The window that pops up asking "Which Program would you like to use" also has an option you can check that says "Always use this program to open files of this type". If you had that option checked, you'll need to reset the file association for .xls files.
Do you have Excel on your system? Is it only .xls files that are not opening correctly?
"On a cellular level, I'm really quite busy."
posted on January 9, 2001 02:19:36 PM
On a completely different note, there is a great piece of shareware called HotSend, or EFax Messenger which allows you to send a file to those who don't have the proper program to open it.
This program doesn't let the receiver open or edit the file, but if they only need to be able to view it, it works great.
posted on January 9, 2001 02:27:37 PM
Good grief, I guess that the whole problem is that I don't have Excel! I checked the file types in "My Computer" and they look as though the .xls files are now set to open with Acrobat Reader. How do I reset the file association--I don't get that pop up window now asking what program I want to use to open the file with, since it just automatically tries to use Acrobat Reader?
posted on January 9, 2001 02:31:22 PM
This is copied directly from the Windows Help:
To modify a file type
In My Computer or Windows Explorer, on the View menu, click Folder Options.
Click the File Types tab.
Click the file type you want to modify, and then click Edit.
If necessary, in Description of type, type the appropriate information for the new file type.
If necessary, in Associated extension, type the extension you want for the new file type.
Click New.
In Action, enter the action that you want to define (such as Open or Print).
In Application used to perform action, enter the command that you want to complete this action, and then click OK.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 for as many actions as you want to define for this file type.
posted on January 9, 2001 02:45:01 PM
Ok, I'm trying to edit the .xls information, but I don't know what application I should type in that I want used to open the .xls files.
posted on January 9, 2001 02:55:57 PM
I could be wrong, but I believe you can also open an Excel spreadsheet in Microsoft Word. Of course, if you don't have Excel, something tells me you don't have Word, either....
Barry
---
The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
posted on January 9, 2001 02:57:19 PM
Is it possible to change the file extension from .xls to .doc and open it in Word? Or to just open the .xls file in Word without changeing the extension?
(rename the file and change the extension?)
I have MS Office and open .xls files in Word, but I also have Excel, if that makes a difference.
posted on January 9, 2001 03:02:31 PM
I don't have Excel, don't have Word, don't seem to have any kind of spreadsheet software. I guess that I'm down the creek without a paddle. Thanks for everyone's help, though!
If you have a fast enough connection like cable or DSL-you can download Star Office and then you will have what you need to open any office files such as an xls.
posted on January 9, 2001 03:43:22 PM
Hurray--I downloaded the Viewer and finally could see the Excel spreadsheet. It's been a real struggle for me. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and patience.
posted on January 9, 2001 04:37:49 PMrty, if you want to put back the default program which is Internet Explorer to open .xls files click on OPEN and then EDIT. For ACTION type in "&Open" without the quotation marks and then type in
"C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\iexplore.exe" -nohome (KEEP the quotation marks) and be sure the use DDE message is checked. You can just copy and paste the program name from this post.You can change the XSL Stylesheet icon if it doesn't do it automatically. The file name is C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSXML.DLL and the correct icon looks like a page with a world globe and a little yellow gear thingy.
posted on January 9, 2001 05:31:29 PM
I'm not a "computer genius" but I have worked professionally as tech support in the past.
Here is what you do:
1. Save your e-mail attachment (XLS) to your desktop. (Some e-mail programs will let you right-click on the file, displaying a Save As option, or you can go to the File Menu, Save Attachments.)
2. As abacaxi suggested, download the Excel 97/2000 viewer (4MB) from http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/Articles/viewerscvt.htm
3. Install the viewer.
Here's the tricky part.
4. Go to your Desktop. Left click on the saved XLS file and release button.
5. Once file is highlighted, hold down shift key and right-click on file. Release hands.
6. Then left click on the Open With... option
A list of programs will display.
7. Click on Other...
8. Navigate to C:\Program Files\XLView and open XLVIEW.exe
Your XLS documents will now be associated with the Excel viewer.
If you need additional help, feel free to write me at sun818[at]techgems[dot]net and I'll walk you through it.
If you are using the "stamp program" thru UPIC, this is the only info you need. She sent me the same info on excel, but I lost it when my computer crashed and just havent put it back on yet.
Auction Number
Declared Value
Shippng Date
# Of Units
Rate
Total
So, I just put this in a column format in MS Works..and email it to her once a week if you are using the stamp program. Easier than driving yourself crazy like I did.......
[ edited by pumpkinhead on Jan 9, 2001 05:44 PM ]
[ edited by pumpkinhead on Jan 9, 2001 05:45 PM ]
posted on January 9, 2001 05:53:51 PM
sun818--I did as you suggested and it works just fine. Many thanks!
pumpkinhead--yes, now that I can see what the spreadsheet needs to look like, I can invent something of my own. Thank you.
Me don't open no email attachments! Called 'cruising for da virus bruising!'