I'm working help desk at EMU and got a call that a faculty member couldn't open an excel file, it will open in word but not in excel. Because of the confidentiality of the file she wont let me play with it. It is a .xls any help would be appriciated.

With the limited amount of information I can only guess. She is using Office 2x. The .xls file contains a macro. She has security set to not allow macros to run (she has macros disabled) in Excel. When a .xls file is opened with Word then it does not access the macro allowing it to open without the use of the macro. Another guess if Office 9x... When she attempts to open it in Excel she is prompted for what to do about the macro and she selects 'Do not open'. Also, being assigned to the help desk would allow you a level of security to permit you to view the file. Of course, if the file can not be opened within Excel then there is no confidentiality issue with the file. So she should allow you to view the problem by showing how she can not open it in Excel. By doing so you will then be bettter equiped to understand the problem. HTH Bryan

What's the exact error she's getting when she attempts to open the file?