Do you encounter difficulties in opening your Excel files because it is corrupted? Worry no more because we got you covered with these five effective steps to fix it.
Step 1: Open Excel in Safe Mode
The first step you can try when you encounter a corrupted Excel file is to open it in Safe Mode. To do this, you need to press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “excel /safe” in the text box and hit Enter. This will open Excel in Safe Mode with limited functionality.
If the file opens in Safe Mode, it means the issue is caused by an add-in or plug-in. You can try disabling the add-in in the Excel Options window. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins, select Com Add-Ins from the Manage drop-down menu, and click Go. Uncheck the add-ins, then click OK. Restart Excel and try opening the file again.
Step 2: Use Excel’s Built-in Repair Feature
If opening Excel in Safe Mode did not fix the issue, then try using Excel’s built-in repair feature. Open Excel and click on File > Open. Browse and select the corrupted file, then click on the arrow beside the Open button. Choose Open and Repair, select Repair, and click OK.
If Excel is unable to repair the file, you can try saving the file in a different format. Open the file and click File > Save As. Choose a different file format such as CSV, HTML, or XML, then click Save. Open the newly saved file, and it should not be corrupted anymore.
Step 3: Use Third-Party Recovery Software
If the previous steps did not work, you can try using third-party recovery software. Many third-party software solutions are available online that claim to recover corrupted Excel files. However, be wary of downloading and installing unknown software from the internet, as some may contain viruses or malware that can harm your computer.
One recommended software is Stellar Data Recovery, which is a trusted and reliable software solution. You can download a free trial version from their website, which allows you to preview the recoverable files before making any purchase.
Step 4: Contact Microsoft Support
If all the above steps fail, you can always resort to contacting Microsoft Support for assistance. Go to Microsoft’s Support page and choose the type of support you need. You can choose to chat with a support agent, schedule a call, or find answers in their knowledge base.
Be sure to provide as much detail as possible, such as the steps you have taken to try and fix the issue and the error message you received.
Step 5: Prevent Future Corruption
Prevention is better than cure. To avoid encountering corrupted Excel files in the future, you can follow these tips:
- Regularly backup your files to protect against data loss.
- Keep your Excel and other Microsoft Office applications up-to-date by installing the latest updates and service packs.
- Be cautious when downloading files from the internet, especially if they are from an unknown source.
- Use reliable antivirus software to scan for viruses and malware that can infect your computer and corrupt your files.
FAQs
Q: Can I recover a corrupted Excel file in Google Sheets?
A: Unfortunately, Google Sheets does not have the capability to recover corrupted Excel files. You need to use Excel or a third-party software solution to recover the file.
Q: Why did my Excel file get corrupted?
A: There are several reasons why an Excel file gets corrupted, such as incomplete downloads, power outages or system crashes while saving the file, using an outdated version of Excel, or having a virus or malware on your computer.
