Are you having trouble opening your Excel files? Are you seeing a message that says “Excel Found Unreadable Content”? Don’t worry! This is a common issue that can be easily fixed. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to fix corrupt Excel files and prevent this issue in the future.
Understanding the Issue
When you see the message “Excel Found Unreadable Content” it usually means that your Excel file has become corrupt. There are different reasons why Excel files become corrupt, such as:
- A sudden power outage
- A virus or malware attack
- A hardware failure
- A software crash
- An improper shutdown of Excel or the computer
When an Excel file becomes corrupt, it can lead to loss of data and productivity. That’s why it’s important to know how to fix corrupt Excel files.
How to Fix Corrupt Excel Files
There are different methods to fix corrupt Excel files, depending on the severity of the issue. Let’s have a look at the most common methods:
Method 1: Open and Repair Feature
This method is the easiest and fastest way to fix corrupt Excel files. Here are the steps:
- Open Excel
- Click on File, then Open
- Select the corrupt Excel file
- Click on the arrow next to the Open button
- Click on Open and Repair
- Select Repair
- Click on OK
If the Open and Repair feature was successful in fixing the corrupt Excel file, you will see the message: “Excel was able to open the file by repairing or removing the unreadable content.”
Method 2: Recover Data From a Corrupt Excel File
If the Open and Repair feature didn’t work, you can try to recover data from the corrupt Excel file. Here are the steps:
- Open Excel
- Click on File, then Open
- Select the corrupt Excel file
- Click on the arrow next to the Open button
- Click on Open and Repair
- Select Extract Data
- Click on OK
This method will extract the data from the corrupt Excel file and create a new file. However, some data might be lost during the extraction process.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Software
If the above methods didn’t work, you can try using third-party software to fix corrupt Excel files. There are different software available online that can repair corrupt Excel files. Here are some of the best ones:
Prevent Corrupt Excel Files
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to prevent Excel files from becoming corrupt:
- Save your Excel files frequently
- Don’t keep too many Excel files open at the same time
- Disable add-ins that you don’t use
- Don’t use unsupported Excel file formats
- Scan your computer for viruses and malware regularly
FAQ
Q1: Can I recover data from a corrupt Excel file?
A: Yes, you can recover data from a corrupt Excel file using the Open and Repair feature or third-party software. However, some data might be lost during the extraction process.
Q2: How can I prevent Excel files from becoming corrupt?
A: You can prevent Excel files from becoming corrupt by saving your Excel files frequently, not keeping too many Excel files open at the same time, disabling add-ins that you don’t use, not using unsupported Excel file formats, and scanning your computer for viruses and malware regularly.
Video Tutorial
Check out this video tutorial on how to fix corrupt Excel files:
Conclusion
Fixing corrupt Excel files is crucial for businesses and individuals who rely on Excel for data analysis and management. By following the above methods to fix corrupt Excel files and prevent this issue in the future, you can save time, money, and headaches.
