[Solved] Can't open .xlsx file

[SilverHD]

Hello:

I am new to this whole thing. I recently have come across a file that I can't open with "open office." It comes up with a box that says "filter selection" and there are several to choose from. I clicked on OpenOffice XML 1.0 spreadsheet and it says "general error" "general input/output error." It doesn't matter what I select, I get the same thing. Anybody know what I am doing wrong? I really need to open this file.

Thanks in advance.

Silver

[Hagar Delest]

HI and welcome to the forum!

Are you sure that this is really a .xlsx? Try to rename it to .xls.
Else, ask the sender to provide you a .xls.
This is the vendor lock-in policy. If you need to work with .xlsx, then you've to buy MS Office. That's why open standards like ODF were created.

[SilverHD]

Hagar:

Thanks for the response. I just attempted to rename it and it will not allow it. The end of the file has a PM.xlxs. Does this mean that it is proprietary? Or, in other words, like you pointed out, I would have to buy MS Office?

Thanks again,

Silver

[SilverHD]

Am I really going to have to purchase MS Office? What version will open this? Since I have Vista I think the one compatible is 2010?? Please reply

Thank you,

Silver

[Sliderule]

One option you might want to try, is, go to web site, Zamzar:

http://www.zamzar.com

You can 'upload' your xlsx file to them, and, they will attempt to 'convert' it for you, to another format, including, ods ( OpenOffice Spreadsheet ). Simply follow the 4 steps on the first page.

A list of conversion file type is available at: http://www.zamzar.com/conversionTypes.php

Sliderule

[SilverHD]

Sliderule:

Thank you! I will give it a shot.

Silver

[SilverHD]

Sliderule:

Thank you so much. It worked. I was able to open the file with this conversion. I see you have to pay if you want to do more?

Kind regards,

Silver

[Sliderule]

Silver:

I am glad that Zamzar was able to work well for you.

I have no 'connection' with Zamzar, just so you know.

You asked:

I see you have to pay if you want to do more?

One of their FAQ's ( Frequently Asked Questions ) with an answer is found at:

http://www.zamzar.com/faq.php#Q20

and, at the bottom of the link just above, in the About Us paragraph, they explain their business model.

Sliderule

Thanks to add [Solved] in your 1st post Subject (edit buton top right) if this isue has been resolved.

[RusselB]

SilverHD: You only have to pay if you want to do more than 5 files at once, or a file is greater than 1M, or you want to be able to access the files longer than 24 hours after you've been notified by e-mail that your conversion has been completed.

[SilverHD]

RusselB:

Thank you for the info. Then I can continue to use this!!!

Super,

Silver