Create or Open an .xlsx file having >256 columns in MS Excel 2003 with compatibility pack installed

0

I'm using Microsoft Office 2003. I have installed 'Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, Powerpoint 2007' to support new xml based formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).

Now given that I have installed Compatibility pack, can I create or open a Microsoft Excel 2007 file (.xlsx) having more than 256 columns in Excel 2003? If no, then how can I achieve the same.

My observation: When I open a .xlsx file in Excel 2003 with compatibility, I can't see more than 256 columns (till Column IV).

Viral Jain

Posted 2012-11-27T04:18:13.700

Reputation: 545

Why are you using a version that is three versions behind? – SLaks – 2012-11-27T04:24:12.623

@SLaks: Well, not me but client does. You know the licensing issues. We are forced to because the data being generated from the .NET code has more than 256 columns & the client has Office 2003 installed. So I'm looking for a workaround. – Viral Jain – 2012-11-27T04:29:30.923

Answers

2

You can't do that.
Excel 2003 does not support >256 columns.

The compatibility pack adds support for new file formats, but does not add new features to Office.

SLaks

Posted 2012-11-27T04:18:13.700

Reputation: 7 596

No prob with down vote. But not even with Excel 2007 compatibility pack installed? Atleast, the official Microsoft page doesn't mention any such restriction. – Viral Jain – 2012-11-27T04:25:19.917

Atleast you gave your opinion, thanks!!! Can you suggest any alternatives. – Viral Jain – 2012-11-27T04:44:33.367

I see 3 solutions: (1) Upgrade Office (2) Use an alternative such as OpenOffice (3) Reduce the number of columns by using multiple sheets instead. – Craig – 2012-11-27T05:17:39.943

@CraigT: Thanks... but sadly none of them holds. I'll work with another alternative then. :) – Viral Jain – 2012-11-27T05:31:51.630

4Once, a while ago, when faced with a similar issue, I flipped columns and rows, since at that point my rows << columns.. – Karthik T – 2012-11-27T09:41:38.453

Asked: 2012-11-27T04:18:13.700

Viewed: 834 times

Active: 2012-11-27T09:27:05.690