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Sangeeta Mudnal & Olaf Hubel on behalf of the Excel Team
91 Replies
Title:
.xlsm files fail to open with “file or extension not valid” + Excel reports file is opened in another application
Body:
Hello,
I am experiencing a persistent issue where any .xlsm file (including brand‑new test files created locally) fails to open in Excel. Instead, I receive one of the following messages:
“Le fichier ou l’extension n’est pas valide”
“/TEST.xlsm est ouvert dans une autre application. Veuillez fermer ce fichier et réessayer.”
The second message sometimes includes a OneDrive‑style URL:
https://d.docs.live.net//.../TEST.xlsm
However, even after unlinking OneDrive, pausing sync, and moving the file to a fully local folder, the error persists.
The file does not open at all—Excel shows the warning and stops.
What I have already tried:
OneDrive / Sync
Unlinked OneDrive from the PC
Paused sync
Stopped OneDrive completely
Moved files outside all OneDrive folders (confirmed local paths)
Deleted OfficeFileCache and WEF folders
Cleared %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache
Excel Trust Center
Disabled all Protected View options
Ensured macro setting is “Désactiver les macros avec notification”
Opened the Paramètres de blocage des fichiers page
Verified file‑blocking settings and default behaviors
Registry checks
Checked the following keys and they contain correct values:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\Security
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Security
Excel resets
Deleted %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel
Restarted PC
Ran excel /safe (same issue)
Ran excel /regserver
Hi,
I was referred to this page by the support chat. The agent I spoke with told me that a support team had been assigned to my case and provided this link, but I am not sure what the next step is.
My issue is that all of my Excel files appear to be corrupted. When I open them, Excel attempts to repair the file and restore as much as possible, but in the process all formulas in the worksheets are removed.
This has affected all of my Excel files, regardless of location — locally stored files, files on OneDrive, and files on Google Drive.
The issue started on February 21st after a computer crash. Since then, I have:
- Restored files using OneDrive version history
- Reinstalled Microsoft 365
- Cleared all caches
- Freed up disk space
Despite these efforts, the problem persists.
I would appreciate guidance on how to proceed, as I am unsure what additional steps I can take.
Kind regards,
Mikaela Nordgaard
Hi, excel keeps signing users out, I have 2 users that keeps signing out then they have to sign in again. Its been happening for about a week now.
Hi, excel keeps signing users out, I have 2 users that keeps signing out then they have to sign in again. Its been happening for about a week now. (Not sure if this is only
What has happened to Excel??
I used to be able to create a workbook with several external data connections, several tables with calculated values, numerous queries to Power Query, and multiple sheets with lots and lots of calculations and data. All this used to work fine in a single workbook for complex business models.
I'm using this version now:
Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2512 Build 16.0.19530.20184) 64-bit
I can't get past three external connections, a few tables, and maybe 12 calculated columns on a single sheet without Excel continuously crashing. Excel used to be a workhorse, now it's not even acting like a pony for a kids party. I've tried using both .xlsx and .xlsb files, turning off automatic calculations and whole bunch of other stuff. I've rebuilt the file 4 times using different approaches and get the same thing on different computers. My work computer and my personal computer does the exact same thing. This is a model that has run like a champ year after year for about 12 years and now I can't even filter without it crashing.
I know it's Excel because when I build it new, it works great up to about 12 calculated columns then starts crashing. When I take an existing model it will only start working after I strip a whole bunch of stuff out and reduce the number of calculations. These files worked great last year at this time.
Has anyone else experienced this with newer versions of Excel?
An Excel file is failing to open. It prompts that the file contains macros. I have already configured Excel to allow macros, yet the issue persists.
Good day
Is it possible to ask a question and include a excel sheet, I have never used the community before.
Asking questions is what this forum is (mostly) about!
Near the top of the main page...
* You can use Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive or Dropbox or ... BE SURE TO SET SECURITY such that everyone can read the file, but noone but yourself can edit (change) it.
... While files can be attached to a post (and to replies to a post), it seems that "newbies" such as yourself are not immediately permitted to do so. (And since the forum software was supposedly "improved" in November 2025, many members have found that the file they attach disappears.) So you would be taking a chance by assuming you could attach a file to your first few posts. Many people instead insert an image (a partial screenshot) in their post, though that is not as useful as a file.
** Include information about which Excel product (Excel 365, Excel 2019, etc.) you are working with, on which platform (Windows, Mac, the web, Android...). If you are not confident in the clarity of your question, describe what you are attempting to do, in general terms. If you find an old post (say, older than 6 months) that is relevant, include a hyperlink to it and explain why the responses to it do not resolve your issue (avoid the temptation to add a reply to it).
Good Morning All,
I know this is probably a very simple question - but the gerbils are not running at 100% yet. I have multiple spreadsheets - let's call it 4 separate tabs of company information by type of company, what I am wondering instead of having to jump from one tab to the other tab. Having a Single page with ALL names listed or simply using the FIND option to drive you to that name?? Hope that made sense, as some of these tabs have 20-30 names and a whole host of information, so scrolling up-down is silly.
Yes, that might be handled with a single formula on your Single worksheet. It might be handled like this (depending on your version of Excel, which you should mention when posting):
=SORT( VSTACK( 'Company Type 1'!A2:.A999, 'Company Type 2'!A2:.A999, 'Company Type 3'!A2:.A999, 'Company Type 4'!A2:.A999 ) )
Naturally, you would use your worksheet names, and change the column letter from A to whichever column contains the company names (it can be different for each worksheet). And by using a "higher" letter right after the colons, you can retrieve multiple columns at once. VSTACK info The periods immediately after the colons reduce the ranges to however many rows contain data, as described here; just remove them if your Excel version does not support that.In the future, please do not add your question/issue/problem to the end of an unrelated post such as this. Instead, click the big blue "Start a Discussion" button near the top of the main page to start your own message thread.
Hola a todos,
Tengo problemas con un documento que se trabaja en colaboración, resulta que ya hace varias semanas se está perdiendo información y ahora ya incluso no aparece en el historial de versiones, trabajamos 3 personas en el documento llenando registros con datos como servicios, vuelos, coordinaciones, pagos, etc. pero, al momento de ingresar la información, ver que todo está bien, el internet, el control de autoguardado, cerramos y al volver ya no hay datos, algún comentario o solución por favor
Hello, we are having issues on an excel file that results corrupted or damaged. This file is very important for my company. I post the screenshot of the error hoping that somebody can help me to solve this problem.
