Are you facing a problem where your Excel or Word files are showing error messages while opening? Do not worry! You are not alone in this problem. In today’s digital world, we rely heavily on these software applications for our daily activities. However, sometimes due to technical issues or other reasons, our files get corrupted, and we cannot access them. This could be frustrating for anyone who depends on these files for their work. Do not panic! There are ways to fix the corrupted files without any technical knowledge. Let’s dive in and explore some of the ways to fix these corrupt files.
1. How to Fix Corrupted Excel Files?
Excel files can get corrupted due to various reasons, such as power failures, virus attacks, or malware infections. The error messages could be about unrecognized format or unreadable content. Do not worry! Here is a step-by-step guide to fix the corrupted Excel files.
Step 1: Open Excel in Safe Mode
The first step is to try opening the corrupted file in the Excel Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, Excel does not try to load any add-ins or external applications, which could be causing the problem. Follow these steps to open Excel in Safe Mode.
- Hold the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard.
- Click on the Excel icon to open it.
- Release the “Ctrl” key when Excel displays the following message: “Would you like to open Excel in Safe Mode?”
- Click “Yes.”
Step 2: Open the Corrupted File in Compatibility Mode
If the Excel file still does not open, try opening it in Compatibility Mode. Follow these steps to open the corrupted file in Compatibility Mode.
- Open Excel in Normal Mode.
- Click “File” and then click “Open.”
- Select the corrupted file.
- Click the arrow on the “Open” button and select “Open in Compatibility Mode.”
Step 3: Recover Data from the Corrupted Excel File
If the file still does not open or Excel crashed while opening it, try using the “Recover Data” option. Follow these steps to recover data from the corrupted Excel file.
- Launch Excel in Normal Mode.
- Click “File” and then click “Open.”
- Select the corrupted file.
- Click the arrow on the “Open” button and select “Open and Repair.”
- Select “Repair” in the dialog box that appears.
- Click “OK.”
2. How to Fix Corrupted Word Files?
Word files can also get corrupted due to various reasons, such as power failures, virus attacks, or malware infections. The error messages could be about unrecognized format or unreadable content. Do not worry! Here is a step-by-step guide to fix the corrupted Word files.
Step 1: Open the Corrupted File in Safe Mode
The first step is to try opening the corrupted file in the Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, Word does not try to load any add-ins or external applications, which could be causing the problem. Follow these steps to open Word in Safe Mode.
- Press the “Win” and “R” keys on your keyboard.
- Type “winword /safe” (without quotes) and press “Enter.”
- Click “File” and then click “Open.”
- Select the corrupted file.
Step 2: Repairing the Corrupted Word File
If the above method fails, the next step is to repair the file. Follow these steps to repair the file.
- Click “File” and then click “Open.”
- Select the corrupted file.
- Click the arrow on the “Open” button and select “Open and Repair.”
- Select “Repair” in the dialog box that appears.
- Click “OK.”
Step 3: Recover Text from the Corrupted Word File
If the file still does not open, try using the “Recover Text” option. Follow these steps to recover data from the corrupted Word file.
- Click “File” and then click “Open.”
- Select the corrupted file.
- Click the arrow on the “Open” button and select “Recover Text from Any File.”
- Select the corrupted Word file and click “Open.”
- Select the location where you want to save the recovered file.
- Click “OK.”
FAQs
1. Can I recover data from a corrupted Excel or Word file?
Yes, you can recover data from corrupted Excel or Word files. Both Excel and Word have built-in recovery options to recover data from corrupted files. Follow the steps mentioned above to recover data from corrupt Excel or Word files.
2. Can I prevent my Excel or Word files from getting corrupted?
Yes, there are ways to prevent your Excel or Word files from getting corrupted. Here are some tips to prevent file corruption.
- Save your files regularly to avoid losing any data if the file gets corrupted.
- Use a reliable antivirus program to protect your system from malware and virus attacks.
- Avoid sudden power outages while working on the files.
- Avoid opening the files from unknown or untrusted sources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, file corruption is a common problem faced by many. However, there is no need to panic as there are ways to fix the corrupted files. In this article, we explored how to fix corrupted Excel and Word files. We also provided some tips to prevent file corruption. Always remember to save your files regularly and use reliable antivirus to protect your system from malware and virus attacks. We hope this article was helpful in resolving your file corruption issues.
