How do I open a newer version of Excel file from older version?

[spacedeveloper]

Hi everyone, I don't know if this is the correct forum for this question, but I'll try anyway and thanks for any help you can provide.

I have an Excel 2007 file that is password-protected that I created on my home computer. Unfortunately, I've been trying to open it on my work's computer, which happens to be a MUCH older version of Excel: 2000.

The real problem is the password length. In Excel 2000 they only allowed a password length of 15 characters, whereas in 2007 they allowed a longer one. The file I have has a password length of 17 characters.

So, how on earth will I be able to open the file in the older version of Excel?

I keep getting the "The password you supplied is not correct." error when attempting to.

Does anyone have any ideas?

BTW, I DO have the "Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office System" update installed on the older system.

Thanks!

 

[spacedeveloper]

hawkdaddy: yeah, I saved the file at home with a different password and it's also shorter (15 characters now).

I saved it in a backwards comptible file type as well.

None of that has helped though.

 

[hawkdaddy]

Quickbooks offers a convert utility from several competing programs. I would be surprised if others did not do the same. See if a trial program is available, but be sure the original company file is not used for the conversion.

 

[fumei]

Sorry strongm, I should have been more specific. I can not really make comments re: Excel. Yes, from what I gather Excel is improved (does more, works better). So, not Office, but my specialty - Word.


unknown

 

[papadba]

"but papdba, and what will anyone do with it in a spreadsheet or a text file?"

Load it into a new target database or application. . . One of the biggest hurdles with this and other "user-installed" software is that it is intended for users (i.e. accountants) - not IT people. Any good IT technician can take delimited data and load it elsewhere very quickly and painlessly. Unfortunately, converting from one discipline to another is often more work than simply migrating the data. . .

"Changing accounting software is a very painful process."
Until accounting (and many other practices) become completely generic, this will be true. One of the reasons a particular software system is chosen over another is the features/function it offers. It is most difficult to hang Ford parts on a Mercedes (and vice-versa). . .

The good news is that most organizations do not switch very often.

 

[Lilliabeth]

hawkdaddy, manually entering the data is not an option. It is locked down so your only way to get the data is via subscription.

Papadba, I should have phrased my question as a statement... exporting to Excel or text files isn't helpful because while your average Excel user can move that data to the moon and back again, it still isn't going to replace QB, so it isn't helpful to me in this context.

--Lilliabeth

 

[papadba]

Yup, as i mentioned:

"Unfortunately, converting from one discipline to another is often more work than simply migrating the data. . ."

Good luck.

 

[hawkdaddy]

Lilliabeth, I decided to not upgrade this time. I have a small company with a few employees. You can make a spreadsheet that reflects the federal and state tables. May not be worth the time for you.