Forum Discussion
Excel cannot be open the file 'filename.xlsx' because the file format or file extension is not valid
Hi All,
I have a excel.xlsx file saved in my system which has been corrupted .I atleast need to recover the data stores .It is a file of 124 KB and has around 35 worksheets in the workbook .I have tried all possible ways to recover and repair the file .i even tried to extract the data using 3rd party application like stellar,ease of use recover application of excel still i have no luck . The below error message im getting whenever i try to open the file.I even tried to open it through other applications like wordpress,google sheets and so on but nothing works .
Thanks and regards ,
Muthuraman
60 Replies
Muthu69 I had the same issue - I had numerous excel files giving me the same error message. I initially though it was due to upgrading to windows 11, and tried to find a fix. Eventually I figured it was related to one drive. I deleted one drive from my machine and reinstalled it. Entered my account details and allowed it to sync. Problem solved. All my excel, notepad and word files can now open without any issues.
Muthu69 its now at
Excel cannot open the file "prinam4.xlsx.xlsx" because the file formet or file extension is not valid. Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension mathches the formet of the file.
Hey guys, I tried every possible way I can see online but I'm still unable to open the workbook. Please help. https://finnacle-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/prashant_nagarajan_finnacle_com_au/EdbU9Q24xddJtOELu3G14PABU_2ywvT64fMGeyH_GTgsKw?e=kC4cWX
Muthu69 This same thing just happened to me and, using trial and error, finally found a solution and got my Excel file to work again! Log in to your OneDrive, find the file, right click, click version history, and on the left panel, click on prior versions until you find one that works and click restore. Hope this is helpful! Take care.
ChelseaSaurman, Thanks so much, in this case, the file was stored in SharePoint, by opening the Version History, I was able to retrieve the file. One million thanks!
- ChelseaSaurman - this actually worked, thank you so much for posting 🙂
It happened to me too, and found out that the version history way also works in file explorer.
This is how I did it:
open file explorer > find the file (with which you have the problem) > right click > click "version history" > click on "more options" (three dots on the right when hovering over the versions) of the second or lower option > click on "Download" > go to "downloads" in the file explorer and open the version that you downloaded
Yoshi1175 That's amazing! Super simple and effective! No one needs to worry or have heart attacks or anything at all anymore! Thank you!
Excel cannot open the file 'filename.xlsx' because the file format or file extension is not valid. Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension matches the format of the file.
This is the message I get.
Using Microsoft Excel for Mac Version 16.57 Office Home and Student 2021
I can't open any files from the File --> Open Recent or I get the error mentioned above.
However, I CAN go into Finder and select the file and it opens just fine.
Any suggestions on how I can use the File Open method instead of having to use Finder every time I want to open an excel file?
Muthu69 This issue is happening because the file you are trying to open is just a dummy file of OneDrive which is not yet synced to your machine. It was the same issue in my case, the moment I launched Onedrive a Cloud icon appeared next to the file. After doubleclicking on the file it downloaded the file from the cloud and opened it fine with excel.
Please launch the Onedrive app, if nothing happens, resign in to Onedrive and link your documents to the cloud documents. it will start working.
- Im having the same problem and nothing seems to work
I encountered the same problem on a flow that HAD been working. Does this solve your problem?
Short version:
On Create File command, I was using “Current Item” in File Content field.
I changed that to use “Attachments Content” instead and now it works just fine.
Step 1: Initiate the workflow with “When a new email arrives….” Add whatever filtering conditions.
Step 2: Choose New Action, SharePoint, Create File.
Provide Site address, folder path, filename (with extension)
Step 3: for File Contents, choose “Attachment Content” from the Dynamic Content menu.
Do NOT choose “Current Item”.
When you choose “Attachments Content”, it will automatically transform Create File to be inside a loop and will look like this:
Once I made that change (use “Attachments Content” in File Content field) the Excel files I created opened correctly without error.
Credit to That Office Guy: https://youtu.be/gRLaCUFK2TY
He was saving to OneDrive seeing him use “Attachment Content” for File Content solved my problem.
- I believe as the error statement correctly suggests the error is being caused due to invalid extension. Don’t worry there are several workarounds to this, I am sharing them below:
What Causes ‘Excel File Extension not Valid’ Error?
The error may occur due to any of these reasons:
1) The file is not compatible with the MS Excel version.
2) The Excel file is corrupt or damaged
FIX:
Method 1 – Change the Default File Format to Save Excel Workbooks
• In Excel 2007, click the ‘Microsoft Office’ button and then ‘Excel Options’. In Excel 2010 and higher versions, click File > Options.
• Select Export option.
• Select Change File Type option.
• Change the file extension, and then click Save As.
Method 2 – Recover Unsaved Workbook
• Go to File and select Info option.
• Under Manage Versions, select ‘Recover Unsaved Workbooks’ op
• If MS Excel has unsaved files then, it will list them. You can open and save it.
Method 3 – Use 'Open and Repair' Feature of MS Excel
• Open MS Excel application.
• Go to File and Select Open option.
• Select the corrupt file and choose Open and Repair option.
You can also check this forum: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/63020ccc-51d7-46d9-b956-121c0e6efcc8/excel-file-error-the-file-format-and-extension-dont-match?forum=Office2016ITPro Repair a damaged workbook
Click on File> Open.
Click the location and folder that contains the damaged workbook.
In the Open dialog box, select the damaged workbook.
Click the arrow next to the Open button, and then click Open and RepairRepair a corrupted workbook
I would be happy to know if I could help.
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
* Kindly Mark and Vote this reply if it helps please, as it will be beneficial to more Community members reading here.
With your permission and everyone involved, if I can recommend.
It can help us all if you upload an Excel file, no picture.
You could get a precise solution much faster with a file.
This would also be a blessing for all of us,
as we can understand the problem much better,
a win-win situation for everyone.
*Knowledge of Excel version and the operating system is a must have if you want to proposing a reasonable solution (Example: office version e.g. 2016 or 2019 or 365 web or 365 pro, etc) and your operating system (e.g. Win10 (2004), Win 10 (1903), Mac, etc.).
Thank you for your understanding and patience
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
- Drag and drop here or browse files to attachMaximum size: 71 MB • Maximum attachments allowed: 5if it doesn't work that way... then as an alternative solution,load your file and inform about the password (if you gave the file a password).
NikolinoDE Hi can you help me in my excel file?
It was probably not saved as an Excel file.
Before repairing, please change all Excel files to All files (*. *) .
If this is not the case either, it is very likely that it will no longer be possible to restore the file.Additional Info:
Repairing a corrupted workbook
Thank you for your understanding and patience
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
