excel found unreadable content

Anonymous
2012-03-20T20:36:42+00:00

i am using microsoft excel 2007 and occasionally get an error message: excel found unreadable content in "file name .xlsx" do you want to recover the contents of the workbook?"

sometimes i hit yes and it reverts to the last saved version - therefore eliminating all of the work that i have done in the sheet that day.

i do not use complicated formulas - just basic addition and multiokying

it happens in many different files and there is no telling why it happens.

i have looked around and have seen that it might be a 'bug' in the software - anyone know how to get rid of it??

help please - my work is disappearing!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2012-04-24T07:31:30+00:00

Follow these steps and verify the results:

  1. Right click on the Excel file.

Go to Properties.

  1. In General tab, at the bottom there is an area called Security, click on Unblock.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-21T17:27:51+00:00

    it randomly happens to files. not every file, though. Usually to excel files that have multiple sheets.

    we do not use picot tables, just really simple formulas, so i am going to try the hotfix.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-22T06:50:28+00:00

    Verify if Service Pack 3 is installed for Office 2007.

    Click File > Excel Options > Resources > About.

    If not installed, you may download Office 2007 service pack 3 from the link below and check if it helps:

    http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27838

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-21T17:29:52+00:00

    i tried to use the hotfix - but came up with an error that the expected version of the product was not foudn on the system -  i am using office 2007

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-21T06:14:07+00:00

    Does this issue occur with particular files or all Excel files?

    Refer to the article below which talks about the error message and check if it helps:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929766

    You may also request for a hotfix for the same as suggested in the article below:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/983314

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