XL97: Clicking Microsoft Excel on Taskbar Does not Work

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Windows NT, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you click the Microsoft Excel button on the Taskbar in Microsoft Windows NT, version 4.0, the screen flashes and Microsoft Excel 97 is not activated.

CAUSE

This will occur if all of the following conditions are true:

• You are working in the Visual Basic Editor.

      -and-
  

• The Object Browser is the active window with the Visual Basic Editor.

      -and-
  

• You are using Microsoft Windows NT, version 4.0.

WORKAROUND

To activate Microsoft Excel 97, either:

• Press and hold the ALT key and press TAB until the Microsoft Excel icon is selected, and then release both keys.

      -or-
  

• Click Close And Return To Microsoft Excel on the File menu.

      -or-
  

• Activate a different window (such as a module or userform window) within the Visual Basic Editor. Then click Microsoft Excel's button on the Taskbar.

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

Under normal circumstances, you can click the Microsoft Excel button on the Taskbar whenever you want to activate Microsoft Excel's window. This will not work, however, when you are using the Visual Basic Editor and the Object Browser is the active window. If a module, userform, or any other window is the active window, you can activate Microsoft Excel 97 by clicking its button on the Taskbar.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in Microsoft Windows 95.