Excel export from RadGrid ends with "Unable to read file"

[Jay]

I've got a customer who is reporting that occasionally when exporting from the grid (and then opening the file directly rather than saving it), they receive an error message box from Excel, "Unable to read file."

I have been unable to reproduce the issue, and it doesn't happen every time for them either. Any thoughts on what could be causing this?

[Pavlina]

Hello,

Could you try setting OpenInNewWindow property to true and let me know if this helps to prevent the error? If not, could you provide your grid declaration and the related code behind in order to investigate the issue further?

I am looking forward to your reply.

Regards,
Pavlina
Telerik

[Jay]

Unfortunately, I've already got that set. The grid is declared

<telerik:RadGrid ID="RadGrid_CM" runat="server" AllowSorting="true" AllowPaging="true" PageSize="25" AllowFilteringByColumn="false"
    OnDataBinding="RadGrid_CM_DataBinding" OnItemCommand="RadGrid_CM_ItemCommand"
    OnItemDataBound="RadGrid_CM_ItemDataBound"
    ShowStatusBar="false" Skin="Simple" Width="100%">
    <MasterTableView DataKeyNames="ID" AutoGenerateColumns="false" Width="100%" CommandItemDisplay="Top" NoMasterRecordsText="No Results found.">
        <Columns>
            ...
        </Columns>
        <CommandItemSettings ShowAddNewRecordButton="false" ShowRefreshButton="false" ShowExportToWordButton="false" ShowExportToExcelButton="true" ShowExportToCsvButton="false" />
    </MasterTableView>
</telerik:RadGrid>

and then in the code behind

grid.ExportSettings.FileName = FileName + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMdd");
grid.MasterTableView.CommandItemDisplay = GridCommandItemDisplay.None;
grid.GridLines = GridLines.Both;
grid.MasterTableView.AllowFilteringByColumn = false;
grid.MasterTableView.AllowSorting = false;
grid.ExportSettings.ExportOnlyData = true;
grid.ExportSettings.IgnorePaging = true;
grid.ExportSettings.OpenInNewWindow = true;

grid.CurrentPageIndex = 0;
grid.PageSize = int.MaxValue;

grid.DataSource = null;
grid.Rebind();

grid.MasterTableView.ExportToExcel();

 

[Pavlina]

Hello,

I have tested the code you provided in a sample runnable page, however I was not able to replicate the "Unable to read file" error message. My test page is attached for your reference, give it a try and see what is the difference in your case.

Regards,
Pavlina
Telerik

[Jay]

Yes, I am unable to replicate it as well, and even at the customer, it doesn't happen every time. Any ideas on what could cause it?

[Pavlina]

Hello,

Unfortunately we could not say why the error is thrown based on the provided information. However, if you manage to replicate the issue that your customer encounter send us an isolate project which we can debug and we will get back to you with a possible solution/fix for it.

Regards,
Pavlina
Telerik

[Jay]

Yeah, I'm grasping at straws at this point, was just hopeful you might have an idea to check out. Thanks for looking into it. If I'm ever able to replicate it, I'll be back.

[Pavlina]

Hi,

We will be happy to help if you manage to replicate the problem.

Regards,
Pavlina
Telerik

[Ryan]

I am able to duplicate this if you have Excel previously open.

Browser: IE11

Excel 2010

 

[Scott]

This is a problem for us as well. I am occasionally able to replicate it from the Telerik Demo page: http://demos.telerik.com/aspnet-ajax/grid/examples/functionality/exporting/excel-export/defaultcs.aspx downloading the HTML button and selecting the "Open" option.

 

Browser: IE 11

Excel: MS Office Professional Plus 2010, Version 14.0.7165.5000

 

 

[Pavlina]

Hi,

Indeed the described problem exists. For more information on the matter and possible solutions please refer to the sticky forum thread linked below:
http://www.telerik.com/forums/html-based-export-format-is-not-working-in-excel-2010

Regards,
Pavlina
Telerik by Progress

[Ryan]

This problem was happening well before Microsoft released that patch that you linked to.

Having said that using ExcelML as an export option seems to work.