"Unable to Read File"

I have an access database that routinely produces a spreadsheet called
'rawoutput.xls'; the numbers in the cells change - nothing else. As part of
the Access macro that to update the spreadsheet it overwrites any previous
excel file of that name.

Because the overwriting of the file means I lose all formatting, I have
another excel file called 'formattedoutput.xls' which has a series of 'Paste
Special/Paste Links' from rawoutput.xls. All it does is take data from the
rawoutput and displays it as a series of formatted tables.

The trouble is I keep getting "Unable to Read File" Messages when I try to
update the links when I open formattedoutput.xls

Can anyone help me to work out why I get the message (the links /seem/ to be
there) and how to stop it.

Alternatively, is there a way I can create an updated xls file from access
without losing the original formatting.

TIA

Rob

Rfj wrote:
The trouble is I keep getting "Unable to Read File" Messages when I try to
update the links when I open formattedoutput.xls

Can anyone help me to work out why I get the message (the links /seem/ to be
there) and how to stop it.


I recall other people having problems with xls files created by Access giving
problems. I suspect that is the case here. Have you tried opening the
rawoutput.xls file in Excel and saving it - might just cure the problem.

Alternatively, pull the data into Excel from Access using Data / Get External
Data / New Database Query (or similar; Excel versions differ in their menus).

Bill Manville
MVP - Microsoft Excel, Oxford, England
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