Excel 2010 crashes when using print preview button and adding headers/footers

I must say I have to agree, I came across the possibility that the xlb file could cause the problem, but it took quite a while to find that as an option, and I found no definite indication that this was the cause. I only offered the suggestion for people to try it out and hopefully more people will comment as too wether it has any benefits or not.

I should also add I didn't try it myself it was a college at work who had the problem of excel crashing when he tried to print preview, but he didn't feel comfortable 'messing about' and instead started using another printer.

It does seem curious, I hope someone gets to the bottom of the problem.

Regards

Steve

I thought it very unlikely that the xlb file idea would solve the problem. 

xlb files contain toolbar customisation information and are unrelated to printing as far as I know.

I have posted a question to an Excel product manager to see if it is a problem they know about but have not yet had a response.

They should know about it if you are allowing information to be sent to Microsoft when the crash occurs and, since that data is used to prioritise issues to address, it is always a good idea to send such information if you can.

I just wish I could reproduce the problem as I would then be happy to report it with instructions on how to reproduce it.

I suggest that if you have this problem easily reproduceable with your printer driver then you report it to Microsoft Support (they shouldn't charge for a bug investigation) and to HP.

Bill Manville. Excel MVP, Oxford, England. www.manville.org.uk

Dear Tony Mac

I don't think this does resolve the problem. I have looked for the excel??.xlb file and I do not have one on my computer. I did a search for xlb, *.xlb,  excel*.* and excel and found nothing. I ensured that I could view hidden files and folders before doing this. 

Remember this suggestion above from Steven_1 is for older version of windows. 

If I have done something wrong then please let me know, but if not please change the status of this post to unanswered and carry on researching the problem as the number of people needing to solve this problem is growing. 

Also no-one else has replied to the post of Steven_1 reporting any kind of success. 

I (and I'm sure others) am still awaiting an answer.......

I know this is an old post, but people do use archive material to find answers, which is a good sign.

Try doing a search for "xlb & crash" for full details, but it appears as though this file can become corrupted and cause problems, find the file excel???.xlb and rename it to excel???.old when excel starts it will create a new "xlb" file automatically.

It should be in "C:\Documents and Settings*USERNAME*\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel???.xlb" but you might need to turn on making hidden & system files visible. The file extension is "xlb" but the actual name will vary between versions of excel.

Just be aware that it is a system file and PLEAS read up about it so that you are happy making any changes. It contains info about custom menus and the like. So recreating it would lose that info. You can always go back to the old file if you rename it. 

Hope this helps

   Steve

I have the same problem.  Office 2010 on Windows 7 professional. 

Crashes frequently after print preview, or doing Page Setup changes.

Also have a HP printer.  C3180