Excel 2011: random non-deletable file on desktop

[Benbikeman]

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]

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!

 

[Benbikeman]

Glad it's not just me, anyway!

 

[KrsOne333]

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

 

[Benbikeman]

Thanks, likewise.

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

 

[CrimeS]

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

 

[ORTOX]

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

 

[glen e]

goes away after soft restart

 

[humanbeing#7]

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]

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]

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?

 

[cosmicc]

Has a permanent solution to this problem been posted?

 

[rd12]

humanbeing

Good advice.
Activity monitor 2 Worked a treat.

 

[JDC007]

This worked - thank you!

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!

----------

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]

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

 

[digerati-master]

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