XL97: "Couldn't Decrypt File" Error with Password Protected File

ID: Q185946

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Query 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you try to create a data source for a Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows workbook, you may receive the following error message:

   Couldn't Decrypt File

CAUSE

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

You are using the Microsoft Excel ODBC driver.
```
    -and-
```
The workbook for which you are creating the data source is protected by a password.
-and-
The workbook for which you are creating the data source is not currently open in Microsoft Excel.

WORKAROUND

Method 1: Remove the workbook password

To work around this problem, remove the password from the workbook. To do this, follow these steps:

 1. Start Microsoft Excel.

 2. On the File menu, click Open.

 3. Locate and select the workbook with the password.

 4. Click Open.

 5. Enter the password for the workbook and click OK.

 6. On the File menu, click Save As.

 7. Click Options.

 8. Clear the password box and click OK.

 9. Click Save. Click Yes when you are prompted to replace the existing
    file with the same name.

10. Close the workbook.

You can create your data source without receiving an error message.

Method 2: Open the file in Excel

If you have the password protected workbook open in Microsoft Excel, you will be able to successfully create a data source for this workbook. However, you must have this workbook open when you use this data source or when you refresh a query that is pulling data from this data source.

STATUS

This is by design of Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows.

REFERENCES

For more information about workbook passwords, click Contents And Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   passwords, workbooks

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Require a password to open or use data in a workbook" topic. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kbdta xlquery 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1999