WD97: Error Message: Word Cannot Edit the Microsoft Excel Worksheet (252973)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q252973
NOTE: The information in this article applies to the German version%3 of Microsoft Word 97 for Windows.

SYMPTOMS

If you try to open or activate an Excel object for editing, you may receive the following error message:
Word cannot edit the Microsoft Excel worksheet.
If you try to close the document, Word may quit with an access violation.

CAUSE

Excel objects in Word documents may become corrupted when AutoRecovery is turned on. The Excel objects become corrupted when an AutoRecovery save occurs while both of the following conditions are true:
  • The Excel object is open in a separate window for editing.
  • A cell is being edited in the Excel object (the insertion point is blinking in cell).

RESOLUTION

To obtain the latest Microsoft Word 97 Update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Word 97 Update: Mail Merge Security

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, open the object in place for editing. To do this, right-click the Excel worksheet object, point to Worksheet Object, and then click Edit.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

NOTE: This hotfix may still corrupt the embedded object if you interrupt the autosave process during the 10th and 11th second by closing the Excel object and returning to Word.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options. Click the Save tab. Click to clear the Allow Fast Saves check box. Click to select the Allow Background saves check box. Under Save Autorecovery Info, select 1 minute.
  2. On the File menu, click Save. Type a file name, and then save the document.
  3. Type some text.
  4. On the Insert menu, click Object. In the Object Type list box, select Microsoft Excel Worksheet, and then click OK.

    An Excel worksheet object is inserted into the document.
  5. Deactivate the Excel object by clicking somewhere in the document body outside the object.
  6. Right-click the Excel worksheet object, point to Worksheet Object, and then click Open.

    The object opens in a separate window.
  7. Type some text into a cell. Do not press the ENTER key. The cell must be in editing mode so that the insertion point is blinking inside the cell.
  8. Wait for Word to perform an Autorecovery save.

    This is indicated in the Word status bar.
  9. On the File menu of the Excel window, click Close & Return to document name.

    The focus returns to Word.
  10. Right-click the Excel worksheet object again, point to Worksheet Object, and then click Open, or double-click the object.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/18/2005
Keywords:kbdownload kbbug kbfix kbQFE KB252973
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