Corrupted Excel File: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Repair it
Excel files are widely used by businesses, students, and individuals for a variety of tasks such as budget planning, data analysis, or project management. However, like any other digital file, Excel files are prone to corruption, which can lead to data loss, error messages, and frustration. In this article, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of corrupted Excel files, as well as the methods to repair them.
Causes of Corrupted Excel Files
There are several reasons why an Excel file might become corrupted. Some of them are:
1. Hardware issues: A sudden power outage, system crash, or hard drive failure can cause Excel files to become corrupted, especially if they were open at the time of the incident.
2. Software issues: Excel files can become corrupted due to bugs in the software or conflicts with other programs that are running on your computer.
3. Virus or malware infection: Malware can infect your computer and damage or delete files, including Excel files.
4. Human error: Accidentally closing Excel without saving changes, force quitting Excel, or making incorrect edits can also cause Excel files to become corrupted.
Symptoms of Corrupted Excel Files
There are several signs that indicate that an Excel file is corrupted. Some of the common symptoms are:
1. Slow performance: Corrupted Excel files may take longer than usual to open, save, or close.
2. Error messages: Excel may display error messages such as “Excel found unreadable content in ‘filename.xlsx'”, “Excel cannot open the file ‘filename.xlsx’ because the format or file extension is not valid”, or “Excel cannot complete this task with available resources.”
3. Missing data: Corrupted Excel files may contain missing or incorrect data, formulas, or formatting.
4. Unexpected behavior: Excel may crash, freeze, or stop responding while working on a corrupted file.
How to Repair Corrupted Excel Files
If you encounter a corrupted Excel file, don’t panic. There are several methods to repair it, depending on the severity of the corruption and the cause of the issue. Here are some of the common methods:
1. Open and Repair: Excel has a built-in feature called Open and Repair, which attempts to fix corrupted files. To use this feature, open Excel, click on File, select Open, choose the corrupted file, and select Open and Repair from the drop-down menu. Excel will try to repair the file and open it if successful.
2. Save as a Different File Format: Sometimes, saving the corrupted Excel file in a different file format can fix the issue. For example, if the file is in the .xlsx format, save it as a .xls file, or vice versa. To do this, open the corrupted file, select File, choose Save As, and select the new file format.
3. Recover an earlier version: If you have enabled the AutoRecover feature in Excel, you may be able to recover an earlier version of the file. To do this, open Excel, click on File, select Open, and choose the corrupted file. Select the drop-down arrow next to the “Open” button and select “Open and Repair.” If Excel cannot repair the file, choose “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” at the bottom of the Recent Workbooks menu.
4. Use a Third-Party Recovery Tool: If the above methods don’t work, there are several third-party recovery tools available online that can repair corrupted Excel files. Some of the popular tools are Stellar Data Recovery, Kernel for Excel Repair, and DataNumen Excel Repair. These tools use advanced algorithms to restore the corrupted files to their original state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How can I prevent Excel files from becoming corrupted?
A1. You can prevent Excel files from becoming corrupted by following these tips:
– Save your work frequently to avoid losing data.
– Close Excel properly instead of force quitting it.
– Use reliable antivirus software to protect your computer from malware and viruses.
– Don’t store Excel files on external drives that are prone to physical damage.
– Avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
Q2. Can I recover data from a severely corrupted Excel file?
A2. It depends on the severity of the corruption and the type of data. If the file is severely corrupted, you may not be able to recover all the data. However, you can try using recovery tools that are specifically designed to recover data from corrupt Excel files. These tools can extract as much data as possible, even from severely damaged files.
Conclusion
In summary, Excel files are prone to corruption due to several reasons, including hardware issues, software bugs, malware infections, and human error. If you encounter a corrupted Excel file, try using the built-in Open and Repair feature, saving the file in a different format, recovering an earlier version, or using third-party recovery tools. To prevent Excel files from becoming corrupted, follow best practices such as frequent saving, closing Excel properly, using antivirus software, and avoiding untrusted sources. With these tips, you can repair corrupted Excel files and recover your valuable data.
