Cannot see open Excel workbook

marclopresto · 08-05-2008, 11:43 PM

Hi,
thanks in advance for any help with my problem.
I am using Windows XP Service Pack 3 with MS Office 2003 (Small Biz Ed.)
I regularly use an excel workbook to for task management, simple lists, nothing fancy, no macros.
I occasionally save under new versions.
for the first time yesterday, I opened the file by double clicking on it in Windows Explorer folder, received no error, but it did not appear (Excel application was already open). I am able to open and view the prior version of the workbook from the day before. I am also able to view all other excel files. The only way I know for certain that this version of my task workbook is open is that when I shut down Excel, it asks if I want to save any changes to this particular workbook file. Windows Explorer shows the file is of expected size (1MB) and the most recent save time stamp.
Any suggestions? Many thanks again, Marc

David M58 · 08-06-2008, 12:11 AM

The file may have been saved as a hidden workbook.

After you double-click the file in Windows Explorer and Excel starts up, in Excel go up to the Window menu. If the Unhide command is available, select it.

marclopresto · 08-07-2008, 06:04 AM

Dear DavidM58:

Thanks for the solution. Having used excel for over 15 years, I am quite embarassed by my oversight. I rarely use a mouse (short-cut keys) and must have accidentally hidden rather than unfreeze as I was closing file. Sorry to trouble you with such a simple problem. Many thanks again.

08-05-2008, 11:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
marclopresto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP Service Pack 3	Cannot see open Excel workbook Hi, thanks in advance for any help with my problem. I am using Windows XP Service Pack 3 with MS Office 2003 (Small Biz Ed.) I regularly use an excel workbook to for task management, simple lists, nothing fancy, no macros. I occasionally save under new versions. for the first time yesterday, I opened the file by double clicking on it in Windows Explorer folder, received no error, but it did not appear (Excel application was already open). I am able to open and view the prior version of the workbook from the day before. I am also able to view all other excel files. The only way I know for certain that this version of my task workbook is open is that when I shut down Excel, it asks if I want to save any changes to this particular workbook file. Windows Explorer shows the file is of expected size (1MB) and the most recent save time stamp. Any suggestions? Many thanks again, Marc

08-06-2008, 12:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
David M58 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 160 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Cannot see open Excel workbook The file may have been saved as a hidden workbook. After you double-click the file in Windows Explorer and Excel starts up, in Excel go up to the Window menu. If the Unhide command is available, select it.

08-07-2008, 06:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
marclopresto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP Service Pack 3	Re: Cannot see open Excel workbook Dear DavidM58: Thanks for the solution. Having used excel for over 15 years, I am quite embarassed by my oversight. I rarely use a mouse (short-cut keys) and must have accidentally hidden rather than unfreeze as I was closing file. Sorry to trouble you with such a simple problem. Many thanks again.