XL2002: Registry Keys That Control the File Repair Feature (289840)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2002

This article was previously published under Q289840
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

Microsoft Excel 2002 contains a new feature that allows you to recover data from corrupted workbooks. This article describes how to use the registry to override the default behavior when Excel attempts to recover data.

MORE INFORMATION

When you open a file in Microsoft Excel, the program checks for problems in the file. If Excel detects a problem in a workbook, the data recovery process automatically begins.

NOTE: You can also begin the data recovery process by clicking Open on the File menu, clicking the arrow on the Open button, and then clicking Open and Repair.

All of the registry values that affect data recovery are in the following registry subkey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Excel\Options

This subkey contains three DWORD registry values that you can modify as follows. (Note that in all cases, 0 is the default value, and 1 is the only other valid value.)

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

ExtractDataMode

If ExtractDataMode equals 0 (or an invalid value), Excel assumes that the structure of the workbook is not corrupted. Therefore, Excel attempts to recover the entire workbook, including formulas, formatting, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Projects, and so on.

If ExtractDataMode equals 1, Excel assumes that the structure of the workbook is corrupted. Therefore, Excel does not attempt to recover anything other than the data in the workbook.

ExtractDataFormulas

If ExtractDataFormulas equals 0 (or an invalid value), Excel attempts to recover formulas, and converts a formula to a value if recovery does not succeed.

If ExtractDataFormulas equals 1, Excel recovers as much of the formula as possible, and substitutes #REF if recovery does not succeed. This value also affects the default option when you are prompted to recover formulas during the Open and Repair process.

ExtractDataDisableUI

If ExtractDataDisableUI equals 0 (or an invalid value), Excel prompts you with two messages during the Open and Repair process. The first message lets you choose to either repair or extract data. The second message lets you choose to either convert to values or to recover formulas.

If ExtractDataDisableUI equals 1, Excel does not offer you any options during the Open and Repair process. Excel opens the file by using the Safe Load process. Data extraction is still enabled through the object model and through automatic data recovery.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/6/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB289840