Excel: Can't Run Tutorial from Network Drive

ID: Q98064

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1

SUMMARY

If you are running Microsoft Excel from a network drive, and you attempt to run the Microsoft Excel tutorial (also called Computer Based Training or CBT), you may experience one of the following problems:

If you are using Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you may receive one of the following error messages:

EXCELCBT not found

-or-

The path in your EXCEL5.INI file does not include the directory that contains the CBT files. Edit the EXCEL5.INI file by typing the path of the CBT directory on the CBTLOCATION=line under [Microsoft Excel].

If you are using Microsoft Excel version 4.0 or 4.0a, you may receive the following error message:

Cannot run tutorial. There may be another instance of tutorial active.

If you are using Microsoft Excel version 3.0, the tutorial may fail without any error message.

This problem will occur if you connected to a network resource using the universal naming convention (UNC) rather than by specifying a drive letter. For example, if the command line in the File Properties box for your Microsoft Excel icon is,

server\sharename\netdir\EXCEL.EXE (UNC)

rather than,

G:\netdir\EXCEL.EXE

the tutorial fails in Microsoft Excel versions 3.0 and 4.0 and you may receive one of the error messages listed above if you are running Microsoft Excel version 4.0 or 5.0.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, you can use UNCs for entries in Program Item Properties, Program Group Properties, PIF command lines, and File Manager. UNCs allow you to use a network resource without formally connecting to it (you can do this by typing the MS-DOS "NET USE" command).

The Microsoft Excel tutorial does not currently support the use of UNCs. This problem also occurs with other tutorial programs, such as the Microsoft Word for Windows tutorial.

Workaround

To work around this problem, follow the procedure appropriate for your version of Microsoft Excel:


   If you are using Microsoft Excel version 4.0a or 5.0:

   - Set the CBTLOCATION= switch in the EXCEL4.INI (version 4.0a) or the

     EXCEL5.INI (version 5.0) file to a specific drive letter. For example,
     if your Program Item Properties reads

        servername\sharename\exceldir\EXCEL.EXE

     add the following line to the [Microsoft Excel] section of your
     EXCEL4.INI or EXCEL5.INI:

        CBTLOCATION=G:\exceldir

      Note: The drive letter you specify must be the one that your
      workstation is connected to and CBTLOCATION must be in all
      capital letters for the setting to work.

     This method allows you to continue to use the UNC in the Program
     Item Properties for the Microsoft Excel icon.



   If you are using Microsoft Excel version 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, or 5.0:

    - Connect to the network drive where Microsoft Excel is located
      and use that drive letter on the command line in the Program
      Item Properties for the Microsoft Excel icon. For example:

         G:\netdir\EXCEL.EXE

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

Additional query words: 4.00a


Keywords          : 
Version           : 3.00 4.00 4.00a 5.00
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: April 2, 1999