OFF2000: Removing Templates Removes Modified Database Files

When you run Microsoft Office Setup in maintenance mode and remove the templates, the Setup program removes database files that you modified using the spreadsheet templates. For example, Common.xls and Expdb.xls database files are removed.

The following templates and database files are affected:

This problem occurs because removing the Office templates in maintenance mode, running Setup after you installed Office, removes all files that Setup installed. The files are removed even though you may have modified them.

To work around this problem, make a backup copy of all Microsoft Excel workbook files before you run the Setup program and remove the Office files. You can copy the files to a temporary folder on the same hard disk or on a network drive, or you can copy the files to external media, such as a disk or tape backup device.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

For more information about sample templates in Excel, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type Ready-to-use forms and templates included with Microsoft Excel in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.