Why and How to Fix "Excel This File is Corrupted and Cannot Be Opened"?

If you’ve ever encountered the frustrating message that your Excel file is corrupt and cannot be opened, you’re not alone. This can be caused by a variety of causes, ranging from human errors to complex technical issues. Here we will look at all the possible reasons and instruct you to solve the issue, so you can regain access to the data in your Excel workbooks.

Why does Excel keep telling me files are corrupt and cannot be opened?

It is not uncommon to have a corrupt file. A Excel file becomes corrupt when its data is altered, damaged, or rendered unreadable in a way that prevents Microsoft Office Excel from opening or processing it correctly. It is crucial to know the reasons why an Excel file is flagged as corrupt, because we might have spent a lot of time to collect and organize the data in the corrupt workbook.

Now, let’s dive into the most common reasons and check what we can do to fix the issue.

1. Improper shutdown

If your computer shuts down unexpectedly—due to a power outage, system crash, or forced restart—the file may not save properly. This can leave the file in an incomplete or corrupted state.

2. Excel crash

Excel itself can crash due to memory issues or software conflicts, leaving files in an incomplete or corrupted state. Keeping Excel updated can help reduce the likelihood of crashes.

3. Bugs in Excel app

Like any software, Excel isn’t immune to bugs. Bugs in the software while the file is being edited or saved can interrupt the file-saving process, leading to corruption.

4. File transfer issues

If a file is being transferred over a network, via email, or using external storage (like a USB drive), interruptions or errors during the transfer can damage the file. For example, incomplete downloads or unstable connections can result in a corrupt file.

5. Incompatible file format

Saving or opening a file in an incompatible format can lead to corruption. For example, opening a modern Excel file (.xlsx) in an older version of Excel that doesn’t fully support the format can cause issues.

6. Excel add-ins or conflicts

Third-party add-ins or conflicts between add-ins can sometimes cause Excel to behave unpredictably, leading to file corruption. Disable unnecessary add-ins to see if the issue resolves.

7. Corrupt temporary files

Excel creates temporary files while you work. If these files become corrupted, they can affect your main file. Clearing temporary files or restarting your computer can help.

8. File size or complexity

Extremely large or complex files with excessive formulas, charts, or data can sometimes overwhelm Excel, leading to corruption. Consider breaking large files into smaller, more manageable ones.

9. Macros or VBA code

Macros or VBA code that contain errors or are improperly written can cause Excel files to become corrupted. Always test and debug your code thoroughly.

10. System issues

Issues with your operating system, such as low memory or disk errors, can interfere with Excel’s ability to open or save files properly. Regularly maintain your system to avoid these problems.

11. Hardware issues

Failing hardware components, such as a damaged hard drive, faulty RAM, or a problematic motherboard, can cause data corruption when reading or writing files.

12. Virus attack

Malicious software can intentionally or unintentionally alter or damage files, making them unreadable or corrupt.

How to fix “Excel this file is corrupted and cannot be opened”?

Whether it’s a critical report, a financial spreadsheet, or a project plan, losing access to your data can feel like a nightmare. The good news? This issue, while often caused by complicated reasons like software bugs, improper shutdowns, or file transfer errors, can usually be resolved with a few simple steps.

In this part, we’ll walk you through 11 proven fixes to recover your corrupted Excel file.

#1. Use Open and Repair Tool in Excel

Excel has a built-in repair tool that can often fix corrupted files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open Excel and go to Open > Browse.
2. Select the corrupted Excel file, and click the arrow next to the Open button.
3. Choose Open and Repair from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Repair.

#2. Change File Extension to XLS or XLSX

Sometimes, simply changing the file extension can resolve the issue:

1. Locate the corrupted file in File Explorer.
2. Rename the file extension from .xlsx to .xls or vice versa.
3. Try opening the file again in Excel.

#3 Disable Protected View

Protected View is a security feature in Excel that opens files in a read-only, sandboxed environment to prevent potentially harmful content from affecting your system. Files from the internet, email attachments, or other untrusted sources are often opened in Protected View by default. While it’s a useful tool for preventing malware or viruses, it can also block access to legitimate files that Excel mistakenly identifies as suspicious or corrupted.

Therefore, we can disable Protected View and check it helps.

1. Go to File > Options > Trust Center.
2. Click Trust Center Settings.
3. Under Protected View, uncheck all the options.
4. Then click OK and try opening the file again.

#4 Change Component Service Settings

Component Services is a Windows feature that manages the configuration and behavior of COM (Component Object Model) objects, which are essential for Excel to function properly. When these settings are misconfigured, it can cause Excel to behave unpredictably, including failing to open files or flagging them as corrupted.

1. Press Windows + R, type dcomcnfg, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Component Services > Computers > My Computer > Properties > Default Properties.
3. Select Connect under Default Authentication Level, and Identify under Default Impersonation Level.
4. Click OK and try opening the file again.

#5 Check Storage Disk Health

The health of your storage device (e.g., hard drive, SSD, or external drive) plays a critical role in ensuring that files are saved, read, and written correctly. If your disk is failing or has underlying issues, it can cause data corruption too. Here is how to check your disk health on a Windows PC and auto repair.

1. Type Command Prompt in the Windows search box, press Enter.
2. Type chkdsk /f /r c: and press Enter.
3. Once the disk health check finishes, quit Command Prompt and restart your PC.

#6 Repair Excel File with Online or Offline Tools

Using repair tools to fix a corrupted Excel file is one of the most effective ways to recover your data when other methods fail. They can scan the file, identify errors, and attempt to fix them, which is something manual methods often cannot do.

There are several third-party tools designed to repair corrupted Excel files.

• Online Tools: Upload your file to a trusted online repair service (e.g., Recovery Toolbox for Excel).
• Offline Tools: Use software like Cisdem Data Recovery.

#7 Revert to Previous Version

Reverting to a previous version of an Excel file is a useful way to recover data if the current version becomes corrupted, accidentally overwritten, or lost. Windows builds in the tool to backup and restore personal files, it is File History. If you’ve enabled this on your PC, you can use the backups to revert to a previous versions of files.

1. Connect the backup drive to your PC.
2. Go to the folder where stores the corrupted Excel file.
3. Right click on the file and choose Select Restore previous versions.

#8 Recover from AutoRecover Location

AutoSave is a feature in Excel (part of Microsoft 365 and newer versions) that automatically saves your changes to the file in real time or at regular intervals. It works seamlessly with cloud storage services like OneDrive or SharePoint, ensuring that your work is continuously backed up. If your file becomes corrupted, you can often recover an earlier, uncorrupted version of the file from the AutoSave location.

1. Go to the auto save location C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
2. Open the autosave version in Excel.

#9 Recover from OneDrive Backup

If you use OneDrive to backup your files, you may be able to find a copy to replace the corrupted Excel file.

1. Log in to your OneDrive account.
2. Go to My files, locate the copy of the corrupted file.
3. Click on the 3-dot icon and choose Download.

#10. Reinstall Excel

If the issue persists, it might be related to a problem with your Excel installation. Uninstall Excel via Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.Then reinstall Excel from your Microsoft account or installation media.

#11 Update Windows to the Latest Version

Outdated Windows systems can sometimes cause compatibility issues and finally lead to Excel file corruption. Keep your system is up to date and safe from bugs or glitches.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Download and install the available updates on your PC.
3. Restart your computer and try opening the file again.