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Re: SYLK Error

To: realbasic-nug at lists dot realsoftware dot com
Subject: Re: SYLK Error
From: David Firth <greenecology at earthlink dot net>
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 23:01:27 -0500
Delivered-to: realbasic-nug at lists dot realsoftware dot com
References: <20050330033351 dot E25168072B8 at lists dot realsoftware dot com>
Anyone know how this error is caused?

SYLK: file format is not valid

This is generated when I create, and save a .tsv (tab separated
values) text file and try to launch it (or manually open it) in
Microsoft Excel... I can open it up as text in every other text app
without any issues, though.

SYLK is an old data interchange format. My old 1985 vintage Tandy 200 had SYLK built into its Multiplan spreadsheet. SYLK files were text readable. I've not seen a SYLK file in a long time. I knew SYLK was kept in Excel as an import option for a long time and was extended beyond what I knew back in the 80s, but I was unaware that Excel could still read the things.

If Excel is interpreting the file as SYLK then there's something about the file name or the data it is seeing that is triggering it to try and load it as SYLK. You mention tab separated, but that shouldn't matter. If I remember correctly SYLK was a command or definition on each line. I cannot remember offhand the identifying character(s) for the beginning of each command, though.

What about posting a line or two of your file? It may trigger a remembrance of what a SYLK command looks like.


--
David Firth
djfirth at mindspring dot com
djfirth at earthlink dot net
davidfirth1 at mac dot com

"social change can occur when have-nots, advocating change, are assisted by well placed haves who will help to pry open doors too long closed to justice and care" -- Bishop Joe Sprague, UMC

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