XL2000: Entire Text File Appears in a Merged Cell (211787)

SYMPTOMS

If you create a text file that contains at least two Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tags and you open that file in Microsoft Excel, the entire text file may appear in a single merged cell (A1). Also, depending on the quantity and type of HTML tags in the text file, Microsoft Excel may unexpectedly quit. When this behavior occurs, one of the following error messages appears, depending on which operating system you are running.

Microsoft Windows 95

This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
Excel caused an invalid page fault in module Excel.exe at 0137:30515ded

Microsoft Windows NT

Dr. Watson for Windows NT An application error has occurred and an application error log is being generated. Excel.exe Exception: access violation (0xc0000005), Address 0x30515ded

NOTE: This problem may also occur if the only tag that is in the text document is the <HTML> </HTML> tag.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the text file contains a large number of HTML tags but no table tags. For example, the file does not contain the following table tags:

These tags force Microsoft Excel to parse the data into separate rows and/or columns.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do one of the following:

Reduce the number of HTML tags in the text document.
Use table tags so the data is not imported into a single cell.
Reduce the amount of text in the text document.