Microsoft Excel is a fantastic program, one that most users cannot live without. So it�s understandable that startup errors that are occasionally encountered when using Excel are enough to drive you bonkers.

Perhaps even more annoying than the problem is finding a solution. The following general troubleshooting tips are designed to help you diagnose and fix errors that may occur when you start MS Excel.

Start in Safe Mode

If you are experiencing errors while opening MS Excel start the program in safe mode. By doing so, MS Excel will not open any add-ins, startup files, the command bar or any customizations.

To start Excel in safe mode, go to the Windows �start� menu, choose �run� and type the following: Excel.exe /Safe

If you receive a message that states Excel.exe cannot be found, you must enter something similar to the following: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Excel.exe" /Safe or enter the correct path for the location of your Excel program.

If Excel starts in safe mode, continue through the following steps to diagnose and fix your MS Excel startup issue:

Re-register Excel

This following command will instruct MS Excel to re-write all of its factory default information to the Windows system registry, re-establish links to the various components of Excel and restoring MS Excel defaults. To re-register Excel, go to the Windows �start� menu, choose �run� and type the following: Excel.exe /RegServer

If you receive a message that states Excel.exe cannot be found, you must enter something similar to the following: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Excel.exe" /RegServer or enter the correct path for the location of your Excel program.

At this point Excel will automatically start, re-write its keys to the registry, and then Excel will close. You can now attempt to start MS Excel normally. If you still experience a startup error, proceed to the next step:

Start without Customized Toolbars and Menus

Another possible cause of startup errors occurring in MS Excel could be the presence of bloated or corrupted customization files. To determine if these files are the culprit, initiate a search of your hard drive. Look for all .xlb files used by Excel and before that your search parameter includes all hidden files and folders. MS Excel uses .xlb files to store your customized menus and toolbars. Their locations may vary depending on your version of Excel, Microsoft Office and Windows.

When you find these files, move them to an alternate location location, such as the desktop and try restarting Excel normally.

If .xlb files do not appear to be the problem, proceed to the next step:

Start Excel without any Add-Ins

If you can get MS Excel to startup in Safe Mode, systematically disable any add-ins to determine if an add-in is causing your specific problem.

To disable add-ins, go to the �tools� menu within the Excel program and choose �add-ins. Make a note of which add-ins are currently checked off and then uncheck each one. Close and restart Excel.

If Excel starts properly, then the cause of your startup error was a specific add-in. Now, you must determine exactly which add-in was causing the problem. To do so, go to the �tools� menu, choose �add-ins,� and check just one of the add-ins that you previously unchecked. Close and restart Excel.

Repeat these steps trying each add-in. Using this process, you will be able to pinpoint the add-in that was causing the Excel startup error. Excel will operate normally if you leave this add-in unchecked. If this add-in is important to you, you may have to contact the supplier for further troubleshooting advice or for an updated version. If this fails, proceed to the next step:

Start Excel without any Startup Files

Initiate a search of your hard drive for any folders named �XLStart,� these folders contain all of the files that are opened when you start MS Excel. There may be more than one of these folders, depending on the version of Excel that you are using. Be sure to find all of these folders and move them to another location, like your desktop. Start Excel.

If Excel starts normally, one of the files contained within the �XLStart� folders is likely the culprit. So, start adding each of the files back into the folder, one at a time. Each time you add a file, restart excel until the problem occurs again. When the problem does occur, you have found the corrupted file. Remove that file from the �XLStart� folder.

Other Ways to Troubleshoot Excel Startup Errors

Run �Detect and Repair:� Excel 2000 and any later versions feature a "detect and repair" tool that can help restore Excel to a working version by replacing files that are either missing or corrupt. From the �help� menu, choose �detect and repair.� Please note that you may need your Microsoft Office installation CD to complete this task.

Delete Temporary Files: When the Windows Temp directory becomes cluttered with too many files, it can cause startup problems in MS Excel. To eliminate these files, open the C:\Windows\Temp folder and delete all of its contents as well as all of the files within the C:\Documents And Settings\Your User Name\Local Settings\Temp folder.

These tips are simply suggestions for troubleshooting general MS Excel startup issues. If you continue to have problems with the program, consult the Microsoft knowledgebase on the web to look for additional solutions.

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