XL2000: Error Message When You Use the Lotus File Combine Command in Macro (214018)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q214018

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 2000, if you run a Lotus 1-2-3 macro that contains a File Combine command, you may receive the following error message
Macro error at cell: cell reference
where cell reference is the cell that contains the File Combine command.

You may also receive one of the following error messages
Cannot find 'filename'

-or-

filename: File format is not valid
where filename is the name of the file that is being combined.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use the Macro Interpreter in Microsoft Excel to run a Lotus 1-2-3 macro that performs the File Combine command. Make sure the following conditions are true:
  • Use the .wk1 format to save the Lotus file that is being combined. (The .wk3 format does not run correctly in this case.)

    -and-

  • Make sure the file that is being combined is located in the working folder.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The File Combine command in Lotus 1-2-3 extracts cells from one file and places them at the active cell location in the current document. This feature was developed with early text-based versions of Lotus 1-2-3.

Microsoft Excel does not have a direct equivalent of the File Combine command, but you can simulate it manually.

How to Simulate the Lotus 1-2-3 File Combine Command in Microsoft Excel

  1. Open the source file.
  2. Open the target file.
  3. In the source file, select the range that you want to combine with the target file.
  4. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
  5. In the target file, activate the starting cell location.
  6. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

REFERENCES

For more information about File Formats for Lotus 1-2-3, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type formats, file in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/27/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB214018
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.