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User profile for user: Living Fossil
Living Fossil Author
User level: Level 2
153 points

Why does a spreadsheet report damage and then turn out OK?

I created a spreadsheet using Numbers on my iMac (running Sierra 10.13.6) and stored it in my iCloud storage. I then opened it in Numbers on my iPhone XS - I just looked at it, rather than edit it on the phone. I then opened Numbers on my iMac and Numbers refused to load my spreadsheet saying it had a missing XML file. So I went back to the iPhone and sent a share email to myself - then Numbers on the Mac could open it!


What's going on? Is there an error or not? Is my spreadsheet safe? Anyone got any ideas?


Thanks in advance

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Aug 27, 2019 6:15 AM

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User profile for user: Barry
Barry
User level: Level 9
59,957 points

Posted on Aug 27, 2019 3:58 PM

"…refused to load my spreadsheet saying it had a missing XML file"


That message occurs only when you attempt to open, using Numbers '09 (Numbers 2), a file created on, or saved from Numbers 3 or later. Apple changed the file format (as well as the application) at version 3. The new application used a file format that did not include an index.XML file. The earlier version needed the index.XML, and not finding it, presented the message you saw.


Installing Numbers 3 (or later) moves Numbers '09 (and contemporary versions of Pages and Keynote) into a new folder,named iWork 09, in your applications folder, but does not delete those applications.


Depending what action you take to open a Numbers file, the action may launch Numbers '09 or a later (and compatible) version. If the compatible version is launched, or is already open, it will successfully open the document. If Numbers'09 is launched (or is the version that is open, you'll ge the error message.


Regards,

Barry

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Barry
Barry
User level: Level 9
59,957 points

Aug 27, 2019 3:58 PM in response to Living Fossil

"…refused to load my spreadsheet saying it had a missing XML file"


That message occurs only when you attempt to open, using Numbers '09 (Numbers 2), a file created on, or saved from Numbers 3 or later. Apple changed the file format (as well as the application) at version 3. The new application used a file format that did not include an index.XML file. The earlier version needed the index.XML, and not finding it, presented the message you saw.


Installing Numbers 3 (or later) moves Numbers '09 (and contemporary versions of Pages and Keynote) into a new folder,named iWork 09, in your applications folder, but does not delete those applications.


Depending what action you take to open a Numbers file, the action may launch Numbers '09 or a later (and compatible) version. If the compatible version is launched, or is already open, it will successfully open the document. If Numbers'09 is launched (or is the version that is open, you'll ge the error message.


Regards,

Barry

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Why does a spreadsheet report damage and then turn out OK?

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