ExcelTips subscriber Monark Panchal was distressed that he tried to open a workbook and received an error message that said "too many different cell formats." He could not even work on the file at that point.
The only mention that Microsoft has of this error message is detailed in their Knowledge Base, article 213904. You can find this article here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/213904
Don't worry that the article's title indicates it is for the Mac; it still applies to PC versions of Excel, as well. It is interesting that the description provided by Microsoft indicates that this message pops up as you apply the formatting that pushes Excel over the formatting limit. The resolution is to then make changes that bring the number of formats in the workbook below that threshold.
The problem here is that Monark cannot even get the workbook open to reduce the number of formats--Excel detects the error condition, and then refuses to continue loading. It is reasonable to assume that Monark would have seen notification of the error prior to closing the workbook. If no notification occurred (the first occurrence was when trying to open the workbook), then it is possible that the workbook is, in fact, corrupted and that Excel simply thinks there are too many formats.
Regardless, Microsoft's solution in Knowledge Base article 213904 cannot be applied to a closed file. The only solution is to revert to a saved backup of the workbook and open it.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (1938) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Save Time and Supercharge Excel! Automate virtually any routine task and save yourself hours, days, maybe even weeks. Then, learn how to make Excel do things you thought were simply impossible! Mastering advanced Excel macros has never been easier. Check out Excel 2010 VBA and Macros today!
If you have a range of numeric values in your worksheet, you may want to change them from numbers to text values. Here's ...
Discover MoreWant to draw attention to some information in a particular cell? Make the cell flash, on and off. Here's how you can ...
Discover MoreExcel provides a couple of different ways to copy formatting from one cell to another. Perhaps the easiest way is to use ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments