When we’re working with Excel files, there’s always a risk of corruption. Whether it’s due to a computer crash or a sudden power outage, a corrupt Excel file can cause a lot of frustration. But don’t worry, there are ways to fix it. In this article, we will share some tips on how to repair a corrupt Excel file.
How to Repair a Corrupt Excel File
If you’re trying to open a corrupt Excel file, you may see an error message similar to the following: “Excel cannot open the file ‘example.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 error message doesn’t specify what caused the corruption. It could be due to a variety of reasons, including:
- A virus or malware infection
- A sudden power outage or system shutdown
- A software crash or freeze
- Hardware failure or disk errors
But don’t worry, there is still hope. Here are several methods you can try to repair a corrupt Excel file:
Method 1: Open and Repair
Excel has a built-in repair function that can fix some minor issues with your file. Here’s how to use it:
- Open Excel.
- Click on File > Open.
- Select the corrupted Excel file.
- Click on the small arrow next to the Open button and select Open and Repair.
- Excel will attempt to repair the file.
- If the repair is successful, you should see the file open normally.
Method 2: Recover Unsaved Excel File
If you were editing an Excel file and your computer crashed before you had a chance to save it, you can still recover the unsaved changes. Here’s how:
- Open Excel.
- Click on File > Info.
- Look for the Manage Workbook section.
- Click on Recover Unsaved Workbooks.
- Find the unsaved Excel file you were working on.
- Select the file and click Open.
- Excel will attempt to recover your unsaved changes.
- If the recovery is successful, save the file as a new document.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Tool
If the built-in repair function and the recovery option don’t work, you can try using a third-party tool to repair your corrupt Excel file. There are several tools available online that claim to be able to restore corrupted spreadsheets. Here are some popular options:
Note that these tools may come at a cost and there is no guarantee that they will work. Use them at your own risk.
How to Prevent Excel File Corruption
While it’s impossible to guarantee that your Excel files will never become corrupt, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk:
- Save your files regularly. The more often you save, the less you’ll lose if your file becomes corrupt.
- Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to protect your computer from power outages.
- Avoid force-closing Excel or shutting down your computer while Excel is running.
- Keep your computer and anti-virus software up to date to prevent malware infections.
FAQ
What causes Excel files to become corrupted?
A variety of factors can cause Excel files to become corrupted, including virus or malware infections, sudden power outages or system shutdowns, software crashes or freezes, and hardware failures or disk errors.
Can a corrupted Excel file be fixed?
Yes, in some cases a corrupted Excel file can be fixed. Excel has a built-in repair function that can fix minor issues. You can also try to recover unsaved changes or use a third-party tool to repair the file. However, there is no guarantee that these methods will work.
