error message when saving files

[helen_spencer9]

I have recently encountered a problem when trying to save a file each time I edit it. I receive the error message "excel could not save all the data and formatting you recently added to the file". I then have the option of saving the file without repairing the problem, to go to the help page, or to cancel. If I save the file without repairing the problem and then open it up again, the file appears to be fine. If I go to "help" I just see a blank page. I am not sure if I can trust the saved file given the error message. The editing I am doing to the file generally has quite a bit of copying and pasting between cells and sometimes the file saves without an error and sometimes not and it seems to depend on the order I copy and paste various cells. If I use "paste special" it seems to be the "validation" copying that causes most errors. I have also found this error when I simply deleted a column from one version of the file. Does anyone know what this error message actually means please and how to solve the problem?

[Cheeky Charlie]

There are limits to how many cell formats and additional pieces of info a workbook can hold (in the region of 4000 individual cell formats).

I would try cleaning off the formatting - font colours, sizes styles, interior fills, borders and various validation settings. Then reapplying it consistently. Excel is very able to cope with lots of cells having the same format - but if there are breaks or inconsistencies it has to create a new criteria for every tiny difference.

Let us know if that helps.