I was recommended to file this into Buzilla from someone on the POI User list.

Note: The version I am using is POI 2.5 Final (which is not in the version 
list, so I chose 2.0 Final)

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Joshua [mailto:daniel.joshua@gridnode.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 23 March, 2004 5:09 PM
To: poi-user@jakarta.apache.org
Subject: RE: Unable to use a template (xls) file containing a wmf
graphic


Hi,

I encountered a similiar problem as Mathieu. (I did a search on the archives
and realised I am not the only one)

Let me state my exact scenario in hopes that my added details will help.

I use POI to create Excel spreadsheets with dynamic data using a template
(.xls) file.
Previously, I was using and older version of POI [File size: 605 KB (620,262
bytes)] which worked fine.
However, I recently upgraded it to POI 2.5 Final, and it started having
problems.
I been using the same test files for both versions (if anyone want a copy I
can send it to you).

What happen is that there was a graphic in my excel which caused the
produced Excel file which could not be opened.
Also, there was NO exceptions/errors thrown from POI.

Later when I read the below post, I tried to remove the graphic and 'viola'
it worked correctly.

Has anyone an idea why this is happening? Any quick remedies?

My system specs:
----------------
OS: Windows 2000 Server
JRE: 1.4.1_02-b06
Excel 2000 (9.0.2720)


Regards,
Daniel



-----Original Message-----
From: mathieu . fretiere
Subject: Unable to use a template (xls) file containing a wmf graphic
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2004 02:24:47 -0800

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Hi,

my web application creates an Excel sheet with HSSF.
It reads first a template file (an xls file) containing a wmf (Windows
Metafile) graphic.
Sometimes it works fine, if I use a plain wmf (or emf) graphic.
But if the wmf is more complex, Excel cannot read the generated file. This
error message appears in a pop-up : "Impossible to read the file".
It doesn't work either if I use a jpg or tiff graphic.

Where does this issue come from ?
Is the wmf file too big ?

For information, I use :
- Tomcat 4.1.18
- Windows 2000
- IE 6, Excel 2000

thanks,
Mathieu