Excel is a vital tool for businesses, students, and professionals alike. However, it can be frustrating when you encounter issues with opening or accessing files. In this article, we will address some common problems that people face when trying to open Excel files and provide solutions to these issues. Whether you have a password-protected Excel file or encounter temporary file issues when opening, we’ve got you covered.
Opening Password-Protected Excel File
Excel files can be password protected to ensure confidentiality and security. However, it can be challenging to open these files if you do not have the correct password. Here’s what you can do to solve this issue:
1. Try the Usual Passwords
Try entering all the passwords that you think might have been used to protect the Excel file. These can include the owner’s name, birthdate, and other common passwords. If you are lucky and guess the right password, the file will open with no issues.
2. Use a Password Recovery Tool
If you cannot remember or guess the password for your Excel file, you can use a password recovery tool. These tools use advanced algorithms that can crack passwords quickly. One of the password recovery tools you can use is PassFab for Excel. The software supports all versions of Excel and can recover passwords of any complexity level.
Opening Excel Files that Close with Temporary File
It’s frustrating when you’re working on an Excel file, and it closes unexpectedly, leaving behind a temporary file. To open the original file, you need to delete the temporary file; otherwise, you won’t be able to access your data. Here are some solutions to fix this issue:
1. Search for the Temporary File and Open It
When Excel files close unexpectedly, a temporary file with the same name is created with an extension .tmp. Search for the temporary file with the same name as your lost file in the same directory. Once you find it, you can open it in Excel or rename the file as .xlsx and use it as the original file.
2. Change Excel Settings
You can change your Excel settings so that it automatically saves a copy of the file every few minutes. This will ensure that you have an up-to-date version of the file even if Excel closes abruptly. To do this, open Excel, click on File, then Options, and select the Save option. Here, you can adjust the autosave settings for Excel.
FAQ
Q1. What is the difference between a .xls and .xlsx file?
A .xls file is created in an earlier version of Excel, whereas .xlsx files are created using the more recent versions of Excel. .xlsx files are generally more stable and reliable, and they offer more advanced features and functions.
A1. How do I convert a .xls file to .xlsx file?
You can easily convert a .xls file to an .xlsx file online or by using the save as option in Excel. To do this, open the .xls file in Excel, click on File, then Save As, and select the .xlsx file type. Alternatively, you can also use online file conversion tools like Online-Convert, which can convert your file within seconds.
Q2. How do I recover unsaved Excel files?
If you did not save an Excel file before closing, you might be able to recover it using the AutoRecovery feature in Excel. To access this feature, open Excel, click on File, then Options, and select the Save option. Here, you can adjust the Autosave settings. If you have AutoRecover turned on, you can retrieve the unsaved file by following these steps:
- Open Excel, click on File, then Info, and select “Manage Workbook”
- Click on “Recover Unsaved Workbooks”
- A dialogue box will appear displaying all the unsaved files. Select the file you wish to recover and click on “Open”
- The unsaved file will open, and you can now save it under your preferred directory
Conclusion
Excel is a vital tool for businesses, students, and professionals alike. However, it can be challenging to open or access Excel files if you encounter issues like password protection or temporary file issues. In this article, we have addressed these issues and provided solutions to help you access your files without any problems. Remember to always save your files regularly, and use password protection to ensure the security and confidentiality of your work.
