Too Many different cell formats - Excel Troubleshooting

Try this...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-
us;213904&



 

I read the Knowledge Base article, but the problem is, the
file does not open at all after it displays the message.
 

try this:

hit START...go to RUN...type EXCEL /s or
Excel /safe ...when excel opens go up to FILE to OPEN,
browse to this file and see if that helps. Worth a try.
It may open and then you can make some changes per the KB
article??

Let me know.


 
the 
does 
message?" 

I rec'd this error message on a large Excel file that I
am creating. I have been able to reduce the number of
formats and I am able to work on the file, however my
question is:

Is there a way to count the number of "formats" in a
specific file to determine how close you are to the 4,000
level.

Thanks, csb

Hi csb,

Unfortunately I do not think there is a way of counting formats.


Charles
______________________
Decision Models
FastExcel Version 2
www.DecisionModels.com

"csb" <microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:127201c3a86f$d3ffaa90$gbl... 

I have file which I, when I try an open it, just gives me
the message "Too many different cell formats", and then
won't open.

Does anyone know how to get around this.?

I get an "Too many different cell formats." error message when trying to change certian cells and when updating certian pivot tables. Closing the workbook and re-starting fixes the problem some of the time.

I have a file with about 15 spreadsheets that involve many formats. I have received the error message "Too many different cell formats". However, I don't believe that I have exceeded the limit of 4,000. In addition, I have been prevented from making other changes to the file, such as inserting a row (which does not add to the number of new cell formats). Plus, If I delete a worksheet, save the file and then try to add another cell format in one of the remaining spreadsheets, I am still prevented from applying the new format. Any advice on this condition?

Boak wrote.. 
have received the error message "Too many different cell formats". However,
I don't believe that I have exceeded the limit of 4,000. In addition, I
have been prevented from making other changes to the file, such as inserting
a row (which does not add to the number of new cell formats). Plus, If I
delete a worksheet, save the file and then try to add another cell format in
one of the remaining spreadsheets, I am still prevented from applying the
new format. Any advice on this condition?<<<

Boak,

You might not have 4000 defined cell formats, but you have more that 4000
cells that have unique formats?

I encourage you to look at this post: http://tinyurl.com/3eyqp

Look at Dave Paterson's comments with respect to Open Office and fixing bit
by bit.

I trust you already saw this kb:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;213904

So if I were to provide a suggestion, it would be to open your document and
start applying consistent formatting to various sections. I suspect that as
you begin applying a consistent format, your problem disappears.

Perhaps you copied and pasted stuff from the web to your document? That
always provides a plethora of formats.

Hope that helps.

Best regards,
Kevin

I have a very large spreadsheet with about 35 worksheets
approx 20,000kb in size - all of a sudden I am receiving
the following message when i try to change the format of a
cell "TOO MANY DIFFERENT CELL FORMATS" - what can I do
to get my cell formatting functions back???? Any
suggestions?

excel does not too much formatting. After all, it is a
spread sheet and not a document. You will have to remove
some of the more fancy stuff like fancy border and
backgrounds, remove the borders around all the cells that
are not printed, and if old formats are no longer seen,
exterminate them. Keep formatting to a minimum.
Preferably, only to areas that are printed or seen by
other people other than yourself.

regards
mark
 
a 

If you want to keep your lay-out, then cut your sheet in
different pieces and link them where necesary. It will
speed up your performance for sure!

I have a large Excel workbook (8,047 KB) that worked fine until today.

When I now attempt to open the file, I now get the error message "Too Many
Different Cell Formats" and must click on "OK". The file will not open.
HELP!!

In Excell I get a message stating Too many different cell formats.
Can I increase the amount of cell formats for the spreadsheet or can I get
around this problem

Hi Stephen,
 

You cannot get around this other than by simplifying the sheet's formatting.

Tip: formatting an entire row or column consumes less resources than
formatting part of the row/column.

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
www.jkp-ads.com

I am trying to use the hide formula function. But I keep getting the "Too
many different cell formats" error. I can't get past this and need help in
correcting the problem.

Marcor

The error is exactly what it says. Too many cell formats. Excel counts
cell formats as unique if anything is different, font, colour, alignment,
wrap, etc, etc. The limit is quite small too. To correct this I suggest you
set up a few styles, (format>styles...) and use these. That way you can be
sure that all formats that look the same, are.

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
co.uk.ANDTHIS


"net" <microsoft.com>
wrote in message news:com... 

Did you get sorted? I have the same problem!
I just cannot the file in the first place.

"Danj" wrote:
 

What does the error message 'too many different cell formats' mean in excel?
I cannot open a spreadsheet that was sent to me by a Java interface from an
iSeries.