PRB: Microsoft Excel 5.0 Can't Open Visual FoxPro 3.0 Table (130711)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.5
This article was previously published under Q130711

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to open a Visual FoxPro version 3.0 table in Microsoft Excel version 5.0 or 7.0 results in this error:
Cannot read this binary file.

CAUSE

Microsoft Excel version 5.0 cannot read a Visual FoxPro version 3.0 table directly. You must export the version 3.0 table as a FoxPro version 2.X table before Microsoft Excel version 5.0 can read it.

RESOLUTION

Before attempting to open the table file in Microsoft Excel, export it into FoxPro for Windows, version 2.x format by entering the following commands in the Command Window (assuming myfile.dbf is the table you want to open): 
   USE myfile.dbf
   COPY TO myfile2.dbf TYPE FOX2
As an alternative, you can also use the FILE EXPORT command to export the file in FoxPro for Windows, version 2.x format. Once the file is exported, Microsoft Excel can open it.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/17/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB130711
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.