When I start Excel 7 it automatically opens a number of unwanted files that are not located in my startup directory. What is causing this nuisance and how do I stop it?
	How do I get rid of unwanted links in my Excel workbook?
	Why does Excel prompt me to save changes to a file even when I have not made any?
	How do I save a file under a different name?
	Do I need to close one workbook before beginning another?
	Can I open multiple workbooks at one time?
	How do I find a file in Excel 5.0 on my hard disk?
	What options do I have with the Find File box in Excel 5.0?
	After importing a file from another application, how can I separate the data into individual columns?
	How do I search for a specific file or group of files in Excel 5.0?
	What I can do to speed Excel up when it contains graphics?
	How can I automatically make backup copies of my worksheets?
	How do I create a template?
	How do I customize Excel to start each document with less worksheets?
	How do I save my workbook?
	How do I set up a workbook so that it starts up automatically each time I open Excel?
	When I record a macro, what's the "Personal Macro Workbook"?

After returning from vacation, every time I start Excel 7 it automatically opens a number of unwanted files. They are not located in my startup directory so I can't figure out how to turn this off. What is causing this nuisance and how do I stop it?
Keywords: Startup, Files
Posted December 17, 1996

It sounds like someone may have added an alternate startup directory while you were gone. From the Excel menu choose Tools - Options - General and delete any entries in the edit box labeled Alternate Startup File Location. This should solve your problem.

How do I get rid of unwanted links in my Excel workbook?
Keywords: Unwanted Links Workbook
Posted November 7, 1996

Here are the three steps that will allow you to find and resolve most problems involving unwanted links:

1. Search each of the worksheets in your workbook for an open bracket character ( [ ). This character is used by Excel in constructing links. When you find any, delete or modify the formula.
2. Choose Insert - Name - Define from the menu and then search the list of names for any that reference another workbook. Delete any of these as well.
3. For any charts that you have, activate each chart, then select each data series within that chart and check the SERIES equation in the formula bar for references to other files. Modify or remove these data series.

Why does Excel prompt me to save changes to a file even when I have not made any?
Keywords: Save Prompt
Posted August 7, 1996

When a workbook contains volatile formulas such as TODAY(), or when it contains a chart sheet, Excel sets the file's dirty flag as soon as you open it, if automatic calculation is turned on. Hence the prompt. You can eliminate this prompt by clearing the dirty flag as soon as the workbook is opened. Type the following macro in a module sheet.

Sub Auto_Open()
   ThisWorkbook.Saved = True
End Sub
			

How do I save a file under a different name?
Keywords: Save File
Posted May 21, 1996

There will be times when you need a copy of an existing workbook that you have designed instead of starting from scratch. You can use Excel's Save As command to make a copy of the existing workbook under a different name.

1. Open the workbook you wish to duplicate
2. From the menu bar choose File - Save As
3. Excel will display the Save As dialog box
4. Use the File Name edit box to enter the name you want to use for the file
5. The extension .xls needs to be on each Excel file
6. If you would like to save the file on a different drive, select the drive from the Drives drop down list
7. If you choose a floppy drive, be sure to insert a disk before continuing
8. To save the file in a different directory, select the directory form the Directories list box
9. Click on OK or press Enter
10. Excel displays the Summary Info box
11. Enter the summary information for the workbook

Do I need to close one workbook before beginning another?
Keywords: Close Workbook
Posted May 21, 1996

You do not need to close one workbook before starting another. However, each open workbook uses some of your system's precious memory. The larger the file, the more memory it uses. To conserve your system's resources, you should close any workbooks you have finished.

1. From the menu bar choose File - Close
2. If you made changes, Excel will prompt you to save changes
3. If you are saving a new workbook, Excel will display the Save As dialog box
4. Use the File Name edit box to enter the name you want to use for the file; the extension .xls needs to be on each Excel file

If you would like to save the file on a different drive

1. Select the drive from the Drives drop down list
2. If you choose a floppy drive, be sure to insert a disk before continuing
3. To save the file in a different directory, select the directory from the Directories list box
4. Click on OK or press Enter; Excel displays the Summary Info box
5. Enter the summary information for the workbook
6. Click on OK or press Enter; Excel will close the file

Can I open multiple workbooks at one time?
Keywords: Open Multiple Workbooks
Posted May 20, 1996

If you regularly work with multiple workbooks, you can choose all the files you need to open in the Open dialog box from the File menu.

To open them simultaneously, there are two methods from which you may choose:

1. If the files are listed together in the File Name box, click on the first file you need, hold down the Shift key, and click on the last file you need.
2. If the files are not listed together, click on the first file you need, hold down the Ctrl key, and click on the other files.
3. Click on OK or press Enter. All the highlighted files will open.

To view all the files at once:

1. From the menu bar choose Window - Arrange
2. Choose the option you desire. Excel will display all open files on one screen.

How do I find a file in Excel 5.0 on my hard disk?
Keywords: Find File
Posted May 20, 1996

The Find File command enables you to search for files on your hard disk. Once found, you can view their contents, open them, delete them, or print them. There are several methods to access this feature:

1. From the menu bar choose File - Find File...
2. Click on the Find File button on the Workgroup toolbar.

The Find File dialog box contains the following options:

• Listed Files: Displays the current drive and directory and the files contained in that directory.
• Preview of: Shows a preview of the file highlighted in the Listed Files box. Use the View list to display different information in this area.
• View: This drop-down list determines what you see to the right of the Listed Files Box. You can select Preview (the default), File Info (to see things such as the file size, author, and date), or Summary ( to see the file summary).
• Search: Enables you to search your system for files. See the next section for more information.
• Commands: The options in this pop-up list enable you to work with the highlighted files.

What options do I have with the Find File box in Excel 5.0?
Keywords: Find File Options
Posted May 20, 1996

Using the Find File dialog box, you can easily evaluate, copy, delete, or sort any of the displayed files. To do this:

1. From the menu bar, choose File - Find File...
2. Highlight the files or files you want to evaluate
3. Select the Commands pop-up list and select the command you desire

The options are:

• Open Read Only allows you to open the file to read it
• Print will automatically print the file
• Summary will list details of each file
• Delete allows you to delete the file
• Copy... allows a dialog box to appear. Select the drive and directory where you want the file copied B>Note: If the directory you want to use does not exist, click on the New button in the Copy dialog box and enter the new directory name in the Create Directory dialog box.
• Sorting... allows you to sort files by Author, Creation Date, Last Saved Date, Name, or Size. It also allows you to list the files by File Name or Title

After importing a file from another application, how can I separate the data into individual columns?
Keywords: Separate Data Columns
Posted March 31, 1996

When importing a file into an Excel spreadsheet, the data will sometimes end up combined in a column separated by a comma , (e.g.: Lastname,Firstname,Address). When this happens, and you want to divide the data into separate columns, follow thesee steps:

1. Highlight the data range
2. Choose Text To Columns from the Data Menu
3. Choose the Delimited option - Next; make sure that Comma is checked and choose Next
4. Finally, make sure the General option is selected and choose Finish
5. This shows you a preview of the finished columns; choosing Finish will separate the imported data into separate columns.

Hint: If you want to retain the original and have Excel place the converted text in another area, select the Destination (actually select the data in the Destination edit field), then click on the cell on the worksheet, behind the dialog box in which you want to start.

How do I search for a specific file or group of files in Excel 5.0?
Keywords: Search Specific File
Posted March 31, 1996

The Find File feature includes a Search feature that enables you to look for files anywhere on your system.

1. From the menu bar choose File - Find File OR use the Find File Button on the Workgroup toolbar; the Find File dialog box will appear
2. Click on the Search button; the Search dialog box will open
3. In the File Name drop-down list, enter a file specification or select one from the list
4. Use the Location drop-down list to specify the drive and directory you want to search
5. If you want to include any subdirectories in the search, activate the Include Subdirectories check box

To save the search:

1. Select the Save Search As... button
2. Enter a name for the search in the dialog box that appears
3. To use a saved search, select one from the Saved Searches list
4. Click on OK or press Enter

Excel will search for the files and display the results in the Find File dialog box. Note: The Search dialog box also includes an Advanced Search button that enables you to search by location, summary information, or timestamp.

What I can do to speed Excel up when it contains graphics?
Keywords: Speed Graphics File
Posted February 5, 1996

Unfortunately the problem with graphic objects is that they take longer to display than regular worksheets. The more detailed the graphic, the longer Excel will take to open the worksheet. Therefore, the simplest solution is to "temporarily hide" all the worksheet graphics so that Excel doesn't redraw the objects every time you open the worksheet. To hide graphic objects, select Tools - Options, and then click on the View tab. Select the option you want from the Objects section. Your choices are:

• Show All - which will display all graphic objects normally
• Show Placeholders - which will display a gray rectangle in place of all embedded charts and pictures, however, lines, shapes, and polygons will still be shown
• Hide All - which will suppress the display of all graphic objects

Once you have chosen one of the these selections, click on OK.

Shortcut: Press Ctrl-6 to cycle through the Show All, Show Placeholders, and Hide All options without having to display the dialog box.

How can I automatically make backup copies of my worksheets?
Keywords: Backup Copy Worksheet
Posted January 16, 1996

Losing a document due to power failure or some other problems may be devastating. Therefore it is very wise to always create a backup copy. Excel can save the previous version of a workbook as a backup copy every time you save the workbook. To save a backup copy of a workbook, choose File - Save As - Options - Always Create Backup.

From now on, whenever you save a workbook, Microsoft Excel will create a backup copy in the same directory or folder as the original workbook. Your backup copy filename will have the same name as the original workbook, but with the extension .BAK

How do I create a template?
Keywords: Create Template
Posted January 16, 1996

Set up a workbook with the settings you want to preserve in a template. These can include any cell formatting, styles, or text; as well as many option settings in the Tools - Options dialog box. Select File - Save As and enter a name for the template in the File name edit box. In order to save the template as a template, in the Save As File Type drop down list choose Template. Use the Save in list to select the folder for the template, and then select Save.

Excel 5: If you save your template in your Excel startup file, you can open a copy quickly by selecting the File - New.

Excel 7: In the latest version of Excel, things are handled a little differently. If you save your template to the /MSOffice/Templates directory, you can open a copy quickly by selecting File - New. Any template (xlt) in the /Templates directory will show up on the general tab of the File - New dialog box.

You can also organize your templates by creating some directories directly beneath the /Templates directory. Any templates (xlt) found in sub-directories will show up on a tab of the same name. For example, if you create a directory called /MSOffice/Templates/Sales Summaries and add templates to that directory, a new tab called Sales Summaries would be available in the File - New dialog box with your templates.

How do I customize Excel to start each document with less worksheets?
Keywords: Customize Start Worksheet
Posted January 16, 1996

The Tools, Options command produces a dialog box with over 70 options you can use to customize Excel. In the general tab, you'll find an edit box for "Sheets in New Workbook"

For most users, a default of 3 or 4 would be more appropriate. Excel is very efficient with additional blank sheets but there's no reason to have all those blank worksheets if you don't need them.

How do I save my workbook?
Keywords: Save Workbook
Posted January 18, 1996

To save a workbook, from the menu bar choose File - Save. If this is a new workbook, Excel will prompt you with the Save As dialog box.

Shortcut: You can also use the Ctrl+S Key, click on the Save tool in the Standard toolbar, or press Shift+F12.

If you save copies of a file using Save As frequently, try pressing F12 as the keyboard shortcut for File - Save As.

How do I set up a workbook so that it starts up automatically each time I open Excel?
Keywords: Workbook Start Automatically
Posted January 16, 1996

Any workbook placed in the XLSTART folder (directory) will be opened automatically when Microsoft Excel starts. XLSTART is located in the same folder as the Excel program.

If you place an Excel template in the XLSTART directory, it will NOT be opened at startup. Instead, it will appear under both the File New dialog box and the Insert command from the sheet tab shortcut menu (right clicking on any sheet tab will display this menu). In Excel 7 your template will show up under the General tab in File New.

When I record a macro, what's the "Personal Macro Workbook"?
Keywords: Personal Macro Workbook
Posted January 16, 1996

The Personal Macro Workbook is a workbook that Excel uses to store macros that are loaded every time Excel opens. It's actually just a normal workbook that Excel creates in the XLSTART folder. By default, it's hidden. To view it and/or edit macros placed there, choose Window Unhide.

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