Hidden Files

Problem

SYMPTOM: user opens a MacNail file (estimate, log, etc.) of any kind, and nothing happens. Name of file is not listed in Window menu! File used in MacNail construction management software seems to be hidden, invisible, not showing, not visible, not there.

Diagnosis

select the "Unhide" command in the Window menu if available. This shows a list of hidden windows.

Solution

If their file is in the list, select it and it will become visible.

NOTE: hidden files are NOT shown in the file list at the bottom of the Window menu. Once they hide a file, the next time they open it, it will still be hidden. That's what makes it difficult, since they may have hit Hide by mistake previously, didn't even notice that anything happened, and then closed/saved the file.

If the file is not hidden, then they're trying to open a file that was saved in a later version of xl than what they're currently using. That generally happens if we sent them an XL4 disk and they are using XL3 or earlier.

Comments

Of all the bad ideas Microsoft has had, this was one of the worst. We've probably had 500+ tech calls from users confused because they've opened a file but it doesn't show anywhere.

Entered 1/19/93 by Vinay. Updated 11/24/2010.