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Mathiasss's avatar
Mathiasss
Copper Contributor
Dec 13, 2023

Can't open XLSX file, extension not valid

Hello,   I can't open an Excel file that is important to me due to the extension not being valid or corrupted. I've tried about everything that I could find online but havent been able to solve it...
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    Dec 14, 2023

    Mathiasss 

    If you have already tried common methods to repair a corrupted Excel file without success, and changing the file extension to XLS didn't work, you can try the following additional steps:

    1. Open and Repair:

    • Open Excel.
    • Go to "File" > "Open."
    • Navigate to the location of the corrupted XLSX file.
    • Select the file, click on the arrow next to the "Open" button, and choose "Open and Repair."

    2. Use Excel Viewer:

    • Download and install the Microsoft Excel Viewer, which is a free application that allows you to view and print Excel files. Even if you can't edit the file, you might be able to view its contents.

    3. Copy and Paste:

    • Open a new Excel workbook.
    • Try opening the corrupted file in Notepad.
    • Copy the content from Notepad.
    • Paste the content into the new Excel workbook.

    4. Recover Previous Version:

    • Right-click on the corrupted file.
    • Select "Properties."
    • Go to the "Previous Versions" tab.
    • Check if there's a previous version of the file available and restore it.

    5. Try on Another Computer:

    • If possible, try opening the file on another computer with a different version of Excel.

    6. Use Third-Party Tools:

    • As a last resort, you might consider using reputable third-party file repair tools. Tools like Stellar Repair for Excel, as you mentioned, are designed for this purpose. Ensure you download such tools from trusted sources.

    7. Check Event Viewer:

    • Open the Event Viewer on your computer.
    • Look for any error messages related to the Excel file. This might provide additional information on what's causing the issue.

    8. Recover Data from External Hard Drive:

    • If the file was originally on an external hard drive, try recovering it from the drive again and see if there were any issues during the transfer.

    Remember to create a backup of the corrupted file before attempting any repair methods, especially if you decide to use third-party tools. If none of the above methods work, it might be worth reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance or considering professional data recovery services. The text/steps was revised with the AI.

     

     Hope this will help you.

     

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