Excel 2011: random non-deletable file on desktop

Benbikeman · Jul 23, 2011, 02:03 PM

When I use Excel, close documents and quit, I end up with a randomly-named Excel icon on my desktop.

It can't be deleted, moved or even repositioned on the desktop. File Info does nothing. If you open the desktop view in the Finder, the file isn't shown. A restart removes it, but that's the only way I've found to get rid of it.

Anyone else experienced this or know a solution?

KrsOne333 · Jul 25, 2011, 02:05 PM

I am having the same issue... I had downloaded the trial version while waiting for my order of Office 2011 to ship. I was not having the issues until I registered the copy of Office and now the random named file is on my desktop without being able to delete.

Not to huge of a problem just more annoying!

Benbikeman · Jul 25, 2011, 02:13 PM

Glad it's not just me, anyway!

KrsOne333 · Jul 25, 2011, 02:40 PM

I have not found anything yet, but if I find the fix I will let you know!

Benbikeman · Jul 25, 2011, 03:08 PM

Thanks, likewise.

May or may not be coincidence, but my copy also started as a demo which was then registered.

CrimeS · Oct 26, 2011, 09:15 AM

Still no fix to this? I'm having the same issue with the trial version of 2011 Office/Excel on my 2011 MBP.

ORTOX · Nov 25, 2011, 12:08 PM

I'm having the same problem. Anyone find a solution?

glen e · Nov 25, 2011, 12:26 PM

goes away after soft restart

humanbeing#7 · Dec 28, 2011, 12:08 PM

Short of a ("cold" or "warm") restart of the Mac; relaunching the Finder does the trick, too.

Three ways to do this are...
A. Option-click Finder icon in Dock and choose "Relaunch".
Watch as your Dock, Finder windows temporarily disappear.

B. Launch /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app, search for/select Finder in list, click "quit process, then "Quit" (again). You'll see Finder restart.

C. Launch /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app, type the following and press return (authenticate when prompted)...
sudo killall Finder

MORE OBSERVATIONS:
This appears to be a cosmetic/GUI bug, but no files actually exist on the Desktop. Hence, you cannot Get Info, delete, move these files, or even see them via Terminal.app ls -la ~/Desktop command.

SW INFO:
Mac OS X 10.7.2 (11C73)
Excel for Mac 2011 14.1.3 (110805)

Let's keep an eye out for resolution to this annoying, yet relatively harmless Excel 2011 bug.

Alias91 · Dec 28, 2011, 10:42 PM

Hi, i just had the same problem. A quick solution is:
1.) On top left corner go to: Apple
2.) Apple>Force Quit
3.) Force Quit>Finder

I hope this helps.

RRR1944 · Apr 19, 2012, 10:40 AM

These solutions only delete the files. I does not prevent them from returning. Excel is pooping temp files on the desktop. Most likely from an autorecover feature that is saving these temp files to the wrong place.

Any ideas on how to redirect the location?

driftmr2 · Jul 19, 2012, 01:27 PM

Has a permanent solution to this problem been posted?

rd12 · Jul 20, 2012, 03:00 AM

Good advice.
Activity monitor 2 Worked a treat.

JDC007 · Oct 28, 2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias91

Hi, i just had the same problem. A quick solution is:
1.) On top left corner go to: Apple
2.) Apple>Force Quit
3.) Force Quit>Finder

I hope this helps.

This worked. Thank you. As soon as I forced the 'finder' to quit, the 3 docs. on my desktop disappeared!

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftmr2

Has a permanent solution to this problem been posted?

Yes, forcing the "finder" to quit from the Apple pulldown menu will delete the files immediately from your desktop. Alias91 was correct.

Benbikeman · Oct 28, 2012, 08:30 PM

The issue seems to have been solved at some stage - I haven't had it occur for ages now.

digerati-master · Feb 14, 2013, 11:31 AM

Yes a restart does the trick also check to make sure you install any Office updates and set them to automatically down load if desired.

Mac admin tech for a NYC company.
Seems to be a random MS Office bug

Jul 23, 2011, 02:03 PM	#1
Benbikeman macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011 Location: London, England	Excel 2011: random non-deletable file on desktop When I use Excel, close documents and quit, I end up with a randomly-named Excel icon on my desktop. It can't be deleted, moved or even repositioned on the desktop. File Info does nothing. If you open the desktop view in the Finder, the file isn't shown. A restart removes it, but that's the only way I've found to get rid of it. Anyone else experienced this or know a solution? __________________ London wedding photographer \| London portrait photographer \| MBP 17 i7 2.4GHz 16Gb 2Tb \| iPad 2 3G 64Gb
	0

Jul 25, 2011, 02:05 PM	#2
KrsOne333 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnepolis, MN - USA	Excel 2011: random non-deletable file on desktop I am having the same issue... I had downloaded the trial version while waiting for my order of Office 2011 to ship. I was not having the issues until I registered the copy of Office and now the random named file is on my desktop without being able to delete. Not to huge of a problem just more annoying!
	0

Jul 25, 2011, 02:13 PM	#3
Benbikeman Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011 Location: London, England	Glad it's not just me, anyway! __________________ London wedding photographer \| London portrait photographer \| MBP 17 i7 2.4GHz 16Gb 2Tb \| iPad 2 3G 64Gb
	0

Jul 25, 2011, 03:08 PM	#5
Benbikeman Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011 Location: London, England	Thanks, likewise. May or may not be coincidence, but my copy also started as a demo which was then registered. __________________ London wedding photographer \| London portrait photographer \| MBP 17 i7 2.4GHz 16Gb 2Tb \| iPad 2 3G 64Gb
	0

Nov 25, 2011, 12:26 PM	#8
glen e macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ft Lauderdale	goes away after soft restart __________________ iPhone5\|MacMini\|iPad4 & Mini Diff Needs, Diff Devices Carried in Saddleback Bags...
	0

Jul 25, 2011, 02:40 PM	#4
KrsOne333 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnepolis, MN - USA	I have not found anything yet, but if I find the fix I will let you know!
	0

Oct 26, 2011, 09:15 AM	#6
CrimeS macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2009	Still no fix to this? I'm having the same issue with the trial version of 2011 Office/Excel on my 2011 MBP.
	0

Nov 25, 2011, 12:08 PM	#7
ORTOX macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011	I'm having the same problem. Anyone find a solution?
	0

Dec 28, 2011, 12:08 PM	#9
humanbeing#7 macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2001	Short of a ("cold" or "warm") restart of the Mac; relaunching the Finder does the trick, too. Three ways to do this are... A. Option-click Finder icon in Dock and choose "Relaunch". Watch as your Dock, Finder windows temporarily disappear. B. Launch /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app, search for/select Finder in list, click "quit process, then "Quit" (again). You'll see Finder restart. C. Launch /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app, type the following and press return (authenticate when prompted)... sudo killall Finder MORE OBSERVATIONS: This appears to be a cosmetic/GUI bug, but no files actually exist on the Desktop. Hence, you cannot Get Info, delete, move these files, or even see them via Terminal.app ls -la ~/Desktop command. SW INFO: Mac OS X 10.7.2 (11C73) Excel for Mac 2011 14.1.3 (110805) Let's keep an eye out for resolution to this annoying, yet relatively harmless Excel 2011 bug.
	0

Dec 28, 2011, 10:42 PM	#10
Alias91 macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2011	Hi, i just had the same problem. A quick solution is: 1.) On top left corner go to: Apple 2.) Apple>Force Quit 3.) Force Quit>Finder I hope this helps.
	1

Apr 19, 2012, 10:40 AM	#11
RRR1944 macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2012	Excel Files Deleted but Return These solutions only delete the files. I does not prevent them from returning. Excel is pooping temp files on the desktop. Most likely from an autorecover feature that is saving these temp files to the wrong place. Any ideas on how to redirect the location?
	0

Jul 19, 2012, 01:27 PM	#12
driftmr2 macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Broomfield, CO	Has a permanent solution to this problem been posted? __________________ 13" MBA 1.8 GHz i7 4GB DDR3 256GB SSD; 27" LED Cinema Display; iPhone 4S 16GB Black, iPad 2 16GB White
	0

Jul 20, 2012, 03:00 AM	#13
rd12 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2012	humanbeing Good advice. Activity monitor 2 Worked a treat.
	0

Oct 28, 2012, 08:30 PM	#15
Benbikeman Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011 Location: London, England	The issue seems to have been solved at some stage - I haven't had it occur for ages now. __________________ London wedding photographer \| London portrait photographer \| MBP 17 i7 2.4GHz 16Gb 2Tb \| iPad 2 3G 64Gb
	0

Feb 14, 2013, 11:31 AM	#16
digerati-master macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NYC	Excel 2011: random non-deletable file on desktop Yes a restart does the trick also check to make sure you install any Office updates and set them to automatically down load if desired. Mac admin tech for a NYC company. Seems to be a random MS Office bug
	0


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