Often now when I open an Excel 98 for MAC spreadsheet my date fields all
display #####. I know it is supposed to be the indication that the column
is too small. However, in the formula bar the contents are now shown as the
old Lotus timeline value, e.g. 35237.

When I attempt to format the cell using the Format/Cells/Date format it has
no effect. If I try to enter a new date such as 1/5/05 (even in new cells),
Excel does not automatically recognize it, and instead just treats it like a
text string.

Also, another thing that happens is that my spreadsheets will open with a
number of initial columns hidden. I can use the Format/Columns/Unhide
command to get them back, with of course now all of the date fields looking
like ####.

I have noticed that if I launch Excel 98 and use the Open/File command, I
often get this "corrupted" spreadsheet. But if I start with double-clicking
on the Excel file to launch the document and therefore the application, I'm
OK.

I have tried re-installing Excel, but it has not helped. I thought I might
have a virus, but a colleague assured me the behavior was not virus-like.

I didn't use to have this problem. It just "evolved" over the last month or
so.

Klaus Waibel
Prince George's County Public Schools
Maryland