Getting Error while opening Microsoft Excel 2000 file in Excel 2003

I am going crazy with this one. When I open an Excel 2000 file in my Windows XP (sp2) Excel 2003 I get the following. "Microsoft Office Excel has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" which then generally butchers the file (sometimes does almost ok in trying to "repair" it). I have tried this on two separate computers with Excel 2003 - same results. NOTE: Excel 2000 opens it perfectly on third pc.

Does this happen with all files or only a single one. If the latter: sounds like a corrupted file for me. You can try repairing the document when you are opening it. Click on Open from File Menu and below save button you can see a small arrow. Just click on it and click Repair.

Sounds like a corrupted file. Try opening it in Excel 2002, saving as XML (with a different name) and reopening it, then copy across the charts, VBProject etc that saving as XML strips out.

This file has seen many "versions" as its improved. the "old" ones can be opened in 2000 and 2003 only lately the newer versions can still only be opened in 2000, not 2003. If it can still be opened in excel 2000 - how do we "find" this corruption. Excel itself didn't really give a good clues. "Damage to the file was so extensive that repairs were not possible. Excel attempted to recover your formulas and values, but some data may have been lost or corrupted."

I don't own xl2003, but if you do File> save as, do you see an option for "XML Spreadsheet *.XML" in the save as type box at the bottom of the dialog. If that didn't help, maybe opening the workbook in OpenOffice and saving there would clean it up enough for excel to accept it.

If I may add some information to track this problem. The Excel file does not use VBA (No Macros at all !). I know for a fact that others can open it - not sure of their Excel version though. I'll try to find out. Is there a "compatibility" mode for Excel 2003 that can open "older" excel files.

Quick update. on second pc - completely wiped away all MS office, rebooted, full reinstall of 2003 office - (it asked for license key again) - reboot - BEFORE even appealing office service patch - i tried and failed to open that file. It is using a formula name not recognized for some reason. I have XL2003 and get the same errors. I can get it open but many of the formula have #NAME! errors. Sounds like a dodgy file to me.