How to Fix Excel Cannot Open File Because the File Format or Extension Is Not Valid
If the Excel file is corrupted or its format is mismatched, the error “Excel cannot open the file because the file format or extension is not valid” may appear on the Windows computer. To fix the issue, try to open the file with another program like Google Sheets or transfer it to a different computer. Provided the solutions still can’t work, you can use the following three methods to resolve “Excel cannot open the file.”
- Contents:
- Method 1: Repair Corrupted Excel Files with File Repair Tuner
- Method 2: Change the File Extension to Fix Compatibility Issues
- Method 3: Access the Excel File Using the Open and Repair Feature
Method 1: Repair Corrupted Excel Files with File Repair Tuner
It’s recommended downloading Cocosenor File Repair Tuner when needing the Excel file data urgently. With the professional software, the damaged file can be repaired in minutes.
Step 1: Download and install the software on your computer. Then launch it and choose File Repair. Next, tap on Add File.
Step 2: After adding the corrupted Excel file, click on the Repair button.
Step 3: Wait for a while and hit OK when Repair Completed appears. Next, tap on Save.
Method 2: Change the File Extension to Fix Compatibility Issues
An additional method is to check whether the file extension is correct. Otherwise, the different format can’t be supported by the current MS Excel version. Change it as a worksheet with a .xlsx or .xls extension.
Step 1: Click the View option > Tick File name extensions.
Step 2: Rename the extension, e.g. changing .xls to .xlsx. After that, ensure you are able to view the Excel file.
Method 3: Access the Excel File Using the Open and Repair Feature
Excel comes with a built-in Open and Repair feature which can help recover files that fail to open properly. This feature will fix file corruption during the opening process, which can be useful if the previous methods don’t work.
Step 1: Open the Excel file and click the X button once the error shows up.
Step 2: Choose File at the top > Click Open > Tap on Browse. Find and choose the file.
Step 3: Click the dropdown arrow next to Open. Then select Open and Repair.
Step 4: Confirm to repair. If it can’t be fixed, try to extract data without formulas.
Related Articles
- How to Unprotect Excel Workbook and Worksheet with or without Password
- How to Open a Password Protected Excel File if Forgot Password
- 4 Ways to Remove Read Only from Excel to Make It Editable
- Solved-- "MS Word was Unable to Read this Document. It may be Corrupt"
- Solved--Microsoft Word File Corrupted and Unreadable Error
