XL2000: Unable to Delete or Hide Sheet1 (212243)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q212243

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 2000, when you open a workbook that was created in Excel version 5.0 or 7.0, you may experience the following two behaviors:
  • A worksheet titled Sheet1 is inserted into the workbook.

    -and-
  • You cannot delete or hide Sheet1 from the workbook unless you first insert another visible sheet.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the workbook that you created in Excel 5.0 or 7.0 contains one or more module sheets and no other sheets.

RESOLUTION

You are not initially able to delete or hide the worksheet that is inserted into your workbook when you open your workbook. You must always have one or more visible sheets in a workbook, and in Excel 2000 there is no way to unhide module sheets that were inserted in previous versions of Excel. If you insert another visible sheet, you can delete or hide Sheet1.

MORE INFORMATION

If you encounter the aforementioned behavior, and you try to delete the inserted Sheet1, you receive the following error message:
A workbook must contain at least one visible worksheet.
To hide, delete, or move the selected sheet or sheets, you must first insert a new sheet or unhide a sheet that is already hidden.

In Excel 2000, you cannot insert new module sheets or unhide module sheets that were inserted into a workbook that was created in earlier versions of Excel. Therefore, you must retain this extra worksheet that is inserted into your workbook. If you insert another visible sheet into the workbook (such as a chart sheet or an Excel 5.0 dialog sheet), you can then delete or hide Sheet1.

REFERENCES

For more information about opening workbooks created in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type about workbooks and worksheets in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB212243
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