MXL5: Unknown Error "ID = -50" Printing to a File

ID: Q173699

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you try to print a workbook, you may receive the following error message:

   An unknown error has occurred.
   ID = -50

CAUSE

This problem may occur if both of the following conditions are true:

• You are using a LaserWriter version 8.4.x printer driver.

      -and-
  

• You are trying to print the workbook to a file.

RESOLUTION

To workaround this problem, use either of the two following methods.

Method 1: Use a Different Version of the Printer Driver

This problem does not occur when you use LaserWriter printer driver versions that are earlier than version 8.4.x. The problem does not occur when you use the following versions of the LaserWriter printer driver:

   7.x
   8.1.1
   8.3.x

Method 2: Print the Workbook in Microsoft Word

You can open your workbook, one worksheet at a time, directly in Microsoft Word, and then print it as a file. To open a worksheet in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Open.

2. Click All Files in the "List Files of Type" list.

3. Locate and click to select the workbook, and then click Open.

4. In the Open Worksheet dialog box, click to select the worksheet (and

   the named range if applicable). Click OK.

   The worksheet is opened as a table in a Word document.

6. Click File in the Destination list.

7. Click Save.

8. Specify a file name and location and click Save.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q113658
   TITLE     : Generating EPS or PostScript File from LaserWriter 8.x
               Driver

Keywords          : kberrmsg xlprint 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998