Microsoft Excel is a widely popular spreadsheet program used by individuals and businesses alike. It’s a reliable tool to organize, analyze, and visualize data in a structured manner. However, like any other software, Excel can sometimes run into issues, and one of the most common problems users face is a corrupt Excel file. In this article, we will discuss how to fix corrupted Excel files and prevent them from happening in the first place.
What Causes Excel Files to Become Corrupt?
There are several reasons why an Excel file can become corrupt. Understanding these causes will help you prevent them in the future. The most common causes include:
- Unexpected power outage or system crash: When Excel is not closed properly due to an unexpected power outage or system crash, the file can become corrupted. This is because Excel saves data in temporary files and if the program is not closed properly, these files can become damaged.
- Malware or virus: Computer viruses or malware can infect Excel files and render them useless. They can cause errors in the file or even delete the file entirely.
- Issues with hardware: Hardware issues such as a faulty hard drive or RAM can cause Excel files to become corrupt. If the file is being written to or read from a damaged drive or RAM, the file can become damaged.
- Software bugs or glitches: Excel is a complicated program with many features. Bugs and glitches can cause Excel to behave unexpectedly and corrupt files.
How to Fix Corrupted Excel Files?
If you have a corrupt Excel file, don’t panic! There are several methods you can use to recover your data. Here are some ways to fix corrupted Excel files.
Method 1: Use Open and Repair
Excel has a built-in feature that can repair a corrupt file. This method is straightforward, but it may not work for severe cases of file corruption. Here are the steps:
- Open Excel and select “Open” in the “File” menu.
- Find the corrupt file and select it.
- Click on the drop-down arrow next to the “Open” button and select “Open and Repair.”
- Select “Repair” and wait for Excel to repair the file.
- Once the repair is complete, Excel will display a message indicating whether the repair was successful. Save the repaired file with a new name to avoid overwriting the original corrupt file.
Method 2: Use Recover My Files
Recover My Files is a third-party software that can recover corrupted Excel files. It scans the entire hard drive and locates the corrupt files, then repairs and recovers the data. Here are the steps:
- Download and install Recover My Files on your computer.
- Open the software and select “Recover Files.”
- Select the drive where the corrupt file is located and click “Next.”
- Select the file type as “Excel” and start the scan.
- Once the scan is complete, select the corrupted file and click “Recover.”
- Save the recovered file with a new name to avoid overwriting the original corrupt file.
Method 3: Use Excel File Repair Tool
Excel File Repair Tool is another third-party software that can repair damaged Excel files. It can also recover data from severely corrupted files. Here are the steps:
- Download and install Excel File Repair Tool on your computer.
- Open the software and click on “Select Files” to select the corrupt Excel file.
- Click on “Scan” to start the scanning process.
- Once the scan is complete, click on “Preview” to preview the recovered data.
- Select the data you want to recover and click on “Save.”
- Save the recovered data with a new name to avoid overwriting the original corrupt file.
How to Prevent Excel Files from Becoming Corrupt?
Now that you know how to fix corrupted Excel files let’s talk about how to prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some ways to avoid corrupt Excel files.
- Save often: Make sure you save your Excel file frequently. This will create a backup in case the file becomes corrupt.
- Avoid unexpected shutdowns: Properly shut down your computer before powering off. This will prevent temporary file corruption.
- Use antivirus software: Install reputable antivirus software to protect your computer from viruses and malware.
- Update your software: Make sure to update Excel and your operating system regularly. This will ensure that you have the latest bug fixes and security patches.
- Be careful with third-party add-ins: Third-party add-ins can cause compatibility issues and corrupt Excel files. Install only reputable add-ins from trusted sources.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover data from a severely corrupted Excel file?
Yes, you can recover data from a severely corrupted Excel file using third-party software such as Excel File Repair Tool. It can recover data from severely damaged files that Excel’s built-in repair feature may not be able to fix.
Q: Can I prevent Excel files from becoming corrupt?
Yes, you can prevent Excel files from becoming corrupt by following some simple steps such as saving often, avoiding unexpected shutdowns, using antivirus software, updating software regularly, and being careful with third-party add-ins.
Conclusion
Excel is a powerful tool for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data. However, Excel files can become corrupt due to various reasons such as unexpected power outage, malware, hardware issues, and software bugs. If you have a corrupt Excel file, don’t panic! Use one of the methods we discussed to recover your data. Moreover, to prevent Excel files from becoming corrupt, follow the tips we provided such as saving frequently, using antivirus software, and being careful with third-party add-ins.
