Article ID: 147272 - Last Review: September 1, 2006 - Revision: 2.0

XL: Cannot Open Multiplan Files

This article was previously published under Q147272
Expand all | Collapse all

SYMPTOMS

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article, if you try to open a MultiPlan file in Microsoft Excel, the file fails to open and you receive one of the following error messages.

If you try to open a MultiPlan file in Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 7.0, you will receive the following error message:
Microsoft Excel needs a converter to open this MultiPlan file. Run the Microsoft Excel Setup program to install it.
If you try to open a MultiPlan file in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, you will receive the following error message:
This file is not in a recognizable format.

CAUSE

You experience this problem because the MultiPlan converter is not provided with the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article.

NOTE: When you try to open a MultiPlan file in Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 7.0, the error message that you receive is incorrect. You cannot install a MultiPlan converter by running Microsoft Excel 7.0 Setup.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do either of the following:
  • Open the MultiPlan file in Microsoft Excel version 5.0 and save the file as a Microsoft Excel workbook file. You should then be able to open the file because Microsoft Excel version 5.0 includes a MultiPlan converter. -or-

  • Open the file in MultiPlan and export it into the Symbolic Link (SYLK) file format. The versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article have a built-in converter for the SYLK file format.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbinterop kbprb kbsetup KB147272
Retired KB ArticleRetired KB Content Disclaimer
This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.
 

Article Translations