XL98: "File Format Not Valid" Error Opening Routed Workbook (181904)

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

The file is sent to you using the routing slip feature (Point to Send To and click Routing Recipient on the File menu) in a version of Microsoft Excel that is newer than the version you are using.

-and-
You attempt to open the file in a version of Microsoft Excel that is earlier than the version of Microsoft Excel from which file is routed.

WORKAROUND

In order to use the routing features of Microsoft Excel, route from the same version of Excel which the recipients are using. If you only want to send the workbook to all recipients at once without tracking or notification of returning, just save the workbook in the file type that the recipient's version of Microsoft Excel will recognize and attach the file to an e-mail message and send it.

Method 1: Use the Same Version of Excel

To work around this problem, use the same version of Microsoft Excel from which the file is routed. This way the routing features can be used.

Method 2: Manually Send an E-mail Attachment

If your goal is to route the workbook to all recipients at once, not to track status, and not to return the workbook to you when done (all the advanced features of Microsoft Excel Routing), follow these steps:

Click Save As on the File menu and click the appropriate file format from the Save As Type dropdown list.
Change the file name in the File Name edit box to avoid replacing your original file and click Save. Note the folder where the file is saved.
Start your e-mail program.
Open a new message in your e-mail program. Refer to your e-mail program's documentation for details.
Attach the workbook to the new message. Refer to your e-mail program's documentation for details.
Type your text, specify the recipients, and send the message.

MORE INFORMATION

When you route a workbook in Microsoft Excel, the workbook is always routed in the workbook format for the version of Microsoft Excel you are using. For example, if you route a workbook using Microsoft Excel 98, the workbook is sent using the Microsoft Excel 98 format.

NOTE: The Routing Recipient feature is only available when Quarterdeck Mail is installed.

Quarterdeck Mail is manufactured by Quarterdeck, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Example

For example, assume you route a workbook to a group of users and you are running Microsoft Excel 98. The following table lists the users that appear on the routing slip and the versions of Microsoft Excel they are using:

   User   Version
   --------------------------

   John   Microsoft Excel 98
   Mary   Microsoft Excel 5.0
   Sue    Microsoft Excel 5.0
   Tom    Microsoft Excel 98
   Dave   Microsoft Excel 5.0

John and Tom can open the routed workbook, save changes, and route the workbook to the next user. However, Mary, Sue, and Dave cannot open the file. They receive the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

REFERENCES

For more information about routing workbooks, click Contents And Index on the Help menu (or on the Balloon Help menu if you are using a version of the Macintosh operating system earlier than 8.0), click the Index button in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text:

routing workbooks

and then click Show Topics. Select the "Distribute workbooks to other people" topic, and click Go To. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.