You receive an error message when you try to open some Excel 2003 files that are indexed on a Windows Server 2003-based computer

When you try to open some Microsoft Office Excel 2003 files that are indexed on a Windows Server 2003-based computer, you receive the following error message:

This issue occurs because of a problem with the Microsoft Office Indexing filter (Offfilt.dll). This issue occurs after you install the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) version of the Offfilt.dll file. The version of the Offfilt.dll file that causes the issue is 2006.0.5730.0. The Indexing Service uses the Indexing filter to extract the contents of Microsoft Office documents so that the data can be added to the Index Server catalog. The Office Indexing filter incorrectly determines that the Office document is corrupted when it processes the document. When this occurs, the Office Indexing filter is unloaded from the memory without closing the document. Therefore, the document is locked, and you receive the error message. The issue does not occur with the earlier version of the Office Indexing filter that is included in Windows Server 2003 SP1.

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Exclude .xls files from being indexed. To do this, follow these steps.

Note You will be unable to use the Indexing Service to search Excel 2003 files after you exclude .xls files from being indexed.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

1. Start Registry Editor.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex\Catalogs\Catalog Name\Scopes
3. Right-click Scopes, point to New, and then click String Value.
4. Type *.xls, and then press ENTER.
5. Double-click *.xls.
6. In the Value data box, type ,,4, and then click OK.
7. Close Registry Editor.

Method 2

This issue may only occur with some Excel 2003 files. Therefore, determine which Excel 2003 files are affected, and then move those files to a subfolder under the main content folder, if it is possible. Then, in the advanced folder properties for this folder, click to clear the For faster searching, allow indexing service to index this folder check box to exclude the folder from being indexed. The Indexing Service can then search the Excel 2003 files that are not corrupted. You can also disable Indexing for individual Excel 2003 files without changing the location.

Method 3

Save Excel 2003 files in the Microsoft Excel 97- Excel 2003 format.