Can't open Excel file

Hello,

I'm running a Mac (10.5.8) and am having trouble opening a recently
created Excel file. I was able to open the file since the first time I created it.
When I attempt to open it now I get sent into Excel, but nothing loads.

Very quickly and briefly a box opens saying that the file is being opened, but
again...nothing happens. I'm just left with Excel opened but not my document.

Info for the doc says:

Kind: Alias
Size: 40kb

Permissions area has these three separate listings, but I can't select any of them:

my name....read & write
unknown....read only
everyone....read only

I have this sinking feeling that I've lost a fair amount of work. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance.