Encountering errors in Excel files? Why does it happen?

Various factors can lead to Excel file errors, similar to issues with Word files, such as corruption or inability to open. These issues may stem from system errors or viruses. If you're dealing with this problem, continue reading Mytour's article below for solutions.

Resolving Excel File Errors

Method 1: Utilizing the Open and Repair Tool

The initial solution to rectify Excel file errors or corruption is employing the Open and Repair tool. Follow the steps below to fix the error:

Step 1: Open a new blank Excel file.

Step 2: Go to File => Open to open the corrupted or damaged Excel file.

Step 3: In the Open dialog, select the corrupt Excel file, then click the dropdown menu next to Open, and choose Open and Repair.

Note: If you want to recover multiple Excel data in the workbook, choose the Repair option. If Repair cannot restore the data, you can opt for Extract Data to extract data and formulas from the workbook.

Method 2: Recovering Corrupted Excel File from Previous Version

If the previous solution doesn't work, the next approach is to attempt recovering the corrupted Excel file from a previous version.

Step 1: Right-click on the Excel file, select Properties.

Step 2: Access the Previous Versions tab, find and select the latest version of the Excel file or a stable version before the occurrence of Excel errors or issues, then click Restore.

Note: Changes made to the corrupted or damaged Excel file cannot be recovered.

Method 3: Set Calculation Option to Manual

If the Excel file still remains faulty and won't open, try setting the calculation method to manual and check for lingering errors. To reset the calculation settings, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open Excel, click on File =>New.

Step 2: Choose Blank workbook from the New section.

Step 3: Go to File =>Options.

Step 4: In the Formulas section, set Calculation options to Manual, then click OK.

Method 4: Use External References to Link to the Corrupted Workbook

By applying this method, you can't recover formulas, formatting, charts, macros, etc., only data can be recovered. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Click on File =>Open.

Step 2: Access the directory containing the corrupted Excel file, right-click on the name of the problematic Excel file.

Step 3: Click on Copy =>Cancel.

Step 4: Click on File =>New.

Step 5: In the New section, select Blank workbook.

Step 6: On the new workbook, in cell A1, enter =File Name!A1, where File Name is the name of the corrupted Excel file you copied in step 3 (without the file extension), then press Enter.

Step 7: If the Update Values dialog appears, select the corrupted Excel file and click OK.

Step 8: If the Select Sheet dialog appears, choose a suitable sheet and click OK.

Step 9: Select cell A1, then click on Home =>Copy.

Step 10: Select a range, starting from cell A1 with the same size as the range of cells containing data in the corrupted Excel file.

Step 11: Click on Home =>Paste.

Step 12: Repeat the steps to copy all selected cells by clicking on Home =>Copy.

Step 13: Click on Home =>Paste, then click on Paste Values in the Values section.

Note: Pasting values will remove links to the corrupted Excel file, leaving only the data.

Method 5: Restore TMP Files

Similar to other Office applications, Excel automatically saves recovery files, allowing us to recover a portion of the Excel file version that is corrupted or damaged.

Step 1: Click on This PC, then double-click on the computer's hard drive.

(typically on drive C:).

Step 2: Double-click on the Users folder, then double-click on the AppData folder.

Step 3: Next, double-click on the Local folder, find and double-click on the Microsoft folder.

Step 4: Navigate to the Office =>UnsavedFiles folder.

Step 5: Here, look for temporary Excel files starting with '$' or '-' and having the file extension '.TMP.'

Step 6: Copy these files and paste them into a secure location by changing the file extension from .TMP to .XLS/.XLSX.

Method 6: Delete TEMP Folder

If the temporary Excel file solution doesn't work, try deleting some temporary files and folders on your computer to see if the Excel error persists. These files and folders are located in the C:/Windows/temp directory. After deleting these files, restart your computer and reopen the Excel file to check for the error.

Method 7: HTML Approach

The HTML method works in specific cases, and you can apply this method to fix Excel files that are corrupted and won't open.

Step 1: Open the Excel file and go to Save As.

Step 2: In the Save As Type section, choose the Web Page option.

Step 3: Ensure the entire workbook (Excel file) is selected, then click on Save.

Step 4: Right-click on the web file, select Open with Microsoft Office Excel.

Step 5: After opening the document, go to Save As and choose the Excel format.

Step 6: Give it a new name, different from the name of the corrupted Excel file, then click on Save.

Method 8: Use SYLK Format

Another method is to use the SYLK format to filter out corrupted elements. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Excel =>Save As.

Step 2: In the Save As Type section, find and select the SYLK(Symbolic Link) (*.slk) option.

Step 3: Click on File =>Open and choose the SYLK file.

Step 4: After opening the file, click on File =>Save As.

Step 5: Choose Microsoft Excel Workbook and click on Save.

Note: Using SYLK format only saves the active worksheet.

Method 9: XML Approach

Step 1: Open the corrupted Excel file, go to File=> Save As.

Step 2: In the Save as Type section, choose XML Spreadsheet and click on Save.

Step 3: Open the Excel file again.

Step 4: Access Save As, and in the Save as Type section, choose Excel Workbook.

Method 10: Open Excel in Safe Mode

When opening Excel in Safe Mode, macros and add-ins will be disabled, allowing you to transfer data to a new worksheet. To open Excel in Safe Mode, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run window.

Step 2: Enter excel /safe and press Enter or click OK.

Step 3: Copy all data to a new file and open the file in normal mode.

Method 11: Use Effective Antivirus Software

As mentioned earlier, the cause of Excel file errors or failure to open may be due to viruses. The solution is to run effective antivirus software to scan and remove viruses from your system.

Method 12: Install the Latest Excel Version

The latest Excel versions often come with added features and bug fixes compared to previous versions. Try installing the latest Excel version and reopen your Excel file to check if the issue persists.

This article from Mytour has just guided you through some ways to fix Excel file errors that won't open. If you have any questions or need clarification, readers can leave their comments below the article.

Slow Excel file is also quite common for those who frequently use Excel spreadsheets, causing inconvenience. Learn how to fix slow Excel file issues on Mytour.