Windows 7 - When I use excel, folders are created with Chinese names

Hi! I need a hero! Awhile back, I noticed in My Documents folder, that folders were being created with oriental characters. I had avast check everything, but nothing was found. The folders are always empty and I can delete them without causing any obvious problem. I have finally narrowed it down to Excel. Anytime I use an excel file, the folder in which the file is begins to have folders created with oriental characters. I googled the characters and they are identified as Chinese - Simplified Han. As far as I can tell there is no damage being done to my computer, but I’m just hoping that the security of my information isn’t being compromised. I need someone to rescue me from this deluge of folders!

welcome here first.

could be malware.

download, install, update and scan with malwarebytes animalware and remove what it finds.

http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

second do a scan with hijack this and post the result here if malwarebytes should come out clean.

http://filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/

i think this will do as a first step.

good luck and write back on your progress.