Compatibility Issue

[WLMPilot]

I am using 2007 version of Excel to design a spreadsheet at work. It is
capable of over handling over 16,000 columns.

The users of my spreadsheat have 2002 version of Excel. If the
update/upgrade via downloading the compatibility software, will they then be
able to also handle the 16,000+ columns?

My design is utilizing 3000 columns per worksheet with over 100 worksheets
in the workbook.

Thanks,
Les

 

[JLatham]

In a word: No. Even with the compatibility pack installed in the older
version of Excel, it's simply not going to be able to deal with columns
beyond the 256th column (IV).

I don't know what you're building, but I really must ask if you haven't
considered some other solution, such as a database application.

 

[WLMPilot]

I was afraid of that. As for using Access, after posing a question
concerning option groups and numerous answer/questions post, I decided on
Excel. I am using Excel to QA patient care reports for an EMS service. I
probably don't need 3000 columns, but definitely need at least 1500 to allow
for each employee the possibility of writing at least that many reports in a
year's time. I was going to set up a workbook per year and have a worksheet
per employee. Now it looks like I will need to do a workbook per employee
and a worksheet per month.

Thanks for your help.

Les