Well, I have fiddled with the PDA to Desktop settings to no avail. ! have now downloaded and run ActiveSync 4.2 with no change. The files are definitely coming over from the PDA with an Excel 4.0 macro in them.
I may be forced to revert to an earlier ActiveSync as Keef says.
EDIT: Somewhat more cheering news - I have discovered that if I save on the PDA as 'Excel97/2000 Workbook' rather than as the default 'Pocket Excel Workbook' the sheet transfers WITHOUT the Macro.....................
standby......................so far so good............................
.....and sorted!!!! Thanks for everyones' time.