XL2000: Error or Page Fault Linking to Workbook or Creating Formula (214360)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q214360

SYMPTOMS

When you enter a formula to create a link from one workbook to another workbook in Microsoft Excel, you may receive an error message similar to the following:
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
If you click Details, you receive an error message similar to the following
EXCEL caused an invalid page fault in module EXCEL.EXE at 0137:30218701.
and Microsoft Excel quits.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

  • The values in the workbook to which you are linking are not recalculated before you save the file, and this workbook is not open.

    NOTE: For information about how this situation can occur, see the "More Information" section later in this article. -and-

  • The workbook in which you are entering the formula is stored in a different folder from the folder that contains the workbook to which you are linking.

    As a result, when you enter the formula to link to the other workbook, a File Not Found dialog box appears and you are prompted to select the correct workbook.
When you select the correct workbook and click OK, you receive the error message in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, include the complete path to the other workbook when you enter the formula. For example, instead of this formula 
   =[Book2.xls]Sheet1!A1
type this formula: 
   ='C:\Files\[Book2.xls]Sheet1'!A1
NOTE: When you include the complete path and enter the formula, you receive the following error message:
'<Bookname>' contains incomplete calculation.
However, the problem described in the "Symptoms" section in this article does not occur.

You can also prevent this problem from occurring by recalculating workbooks before you save them.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel, you may save a workbook in an uncalculated state if you follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options. Click the Calculation tab.
  2. Click Manual, and click to clear the Recalculate before save check box.
  3. Click OK.
  4. Make a change to the workbook that would normally force calculation; for example, enter a formula in cell A1.
  5. On the File menu, click Save, and then save the workbook.
If you enter a formula that links to this workbook, and then select the workbook in the File Not Found dialog box, the problem described in this article may occur.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kbbug kberrmsg kbpending KB214360
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