Excel File Recovery – Recover Corrupt Excel 2023 Files Easily | Stellar

Excel File Recovery – Recover Corrupt Excel 2023 Files Easily | Stellar

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How to Repair Multiple Excel Files by Using Stellar

With Stellar Repair for Excel, it is quite easy and simple to repair multiple MS Excel (XLS and XLSX) files that are damaged. This is because the software has a self-explanatory interface and hence is a Do-it-yourself software. Nonetheless, when using this software to repair multiple Excel files, you would have to add all of the files into the software by following a few pre-defined steps. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Select file option

  • Click Browse and select corrupt Excel files. Select the checkbox to repair multiple files.

Search file

  • Click Repair
  • The software provides the preview facility. You can check the it on left pane.

Preview of file

  • Save the repired filr ether Default location or Select New Folder radio button.

select destination

Stellar Repair for Excel Stellar Repair for Excel is the best choice for repairing corrupt or damaged Excel (.XLS/.XLSX) files. This Excel recovery software restores everything from corrupt file to a new blank Excel file.

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[Fixed] Excel Found a Problem with One or more Formula

Summary: The error ‘Excel found a problem with one or more formula references in this worksheet’ may appear while saving the Excel workbook. It occurs when Excel found a problem with the formula used in the sheet. However, it may also occur when the Excel workbook gets damaged or corrupt. In this guide, we’ve explained the reasons that may lead to this Excel error and methods to resolve the error, by using various Excel options and a third-party Excel file repair software.

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If you are experiencing the ‘Excel found a problem with one or more formula references in this worksheet’ error message in the Excel workbook, it indicates that the Excel file is corrupt or partially damaged. However, it may also occur due to incorrect reference to a wrong cell or object linking, which is not working. The complete error message says,

‘Excel found a problem with one or more formula references in this worksheet. Check that the cell references, range names, defined names, and links to other workbooks in your formulas are all correct.’

Excel found a problem with one or more formula references

In any case, resolving the error is critical as it doesn’t let you save the file and may result in loss of information from the Excel workbook.

Reasons for Excel Formula References Error

A few reasons that may lead to such error are as follows,

  • Wrong formula or reference cell
  • Incorrect object linking or link embedding OLE
  • Empty or no values in named or range cells
  • Multiple Excel files (not common)

Methods to Resolve ‘Excel Found a Problem with One or More Formula References in this Worksheet’ Error

Following are a few methods that you can follow to fix Excel file that can’t be saved due to problems with one or more formula references in the worksheet.

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Method 1: Check Formulas

If the problem has occurred in a large Excel workbook with multiple sheets, it’s quite hard to pinpoint the problem cell. In such cases, you can use the Error Checking option that runs a scan and checks for a problem with formulas used in the worksheet.

To run Error Checking in the Excel sheet, follow these steps,

  • Go to Formulas and click on the ‘Error Checking’ button

Error Checking

  • This runs a scan on the sheet and displays the issues, if any. If no issue is found, it displays the following message,

The error check is completed for the entire sheet.

In such a case, you can try saving the Excel file again. If the error message persists, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Check Individual Sheet

The problem may also occur due to an issue with one of the sheets in the workbook. To find the faulty sheet and fix the problem, you can copy each sheet content in a new Excel file and then try to save the Excel file.

This will help you find the faulty sheet from the workbook that you can review. This method makes the entire process of troubleshooting Excel formula reference error quite easy and convenient.

In case the error is not fixed, you can back up the faulty sheet content and remove it from the workbook to save the Excel file.

When the Excel file contains external links with errors, MS Excel may display such error messages. To check and confirm if external links are causing the error, follow these steps,

  • Navigate to Data Tab > Queries & Connections > Edit Links
  • Check the links. If you find any faulty link, remove it and then save the sheet

Method 4: Review Charts

You can review the charts to check if they are causing the formula reference error in Excel. It may take a while based on the size of the Excel file. Sometimes, it’s not practically possible to track down which Excel chart object is causing the error. Thus, you need to check specific locations, such as:

  1. Check horizontal axis formula inside Select Data Source dialog box
  2. Check Secondary Axis
  3. Check linked Data Labels, Axis Labels, or Chart Title

Method 5: Check Pivot Tables

To check Pivot Tables, follow these steps,

  • Navigate to PivotTable Tools > Analyze > Change Data Source > Change Data Source…

Edit links

  • Check if any of the formula used is problematic. Sometimes small typo, such as misplaced comma, can lead to such problems in Excel. Thus, check each formula thoroughly and correct the formulas wherever needed.

Method 6: Use Excel Repair Software

When none of the methods resolve the error, then you can rely on advanced Excel repair software , such as Stellar Repair for Excel. It’s a powerful tool that is recommended by several MVPs and IT administrators for resolving common Excel errors, such as ‘Excel found a problem with one or more formula references in this worksheet.’

Stellar Repair for Excel

It repairs corrupt or damaged Excel (.xls/.xlsx) files, recovers Pivot tables, charts, etc., and save them in a new Excel worksheet. It helps Excel users, facing formula reference error, restore their Excel file without any risk of data loss, while preserving the sheet properties and formatting with 100% precision.

Conclusion

Although the error ‘Excel found a problem with one or more formula references in this worksheet’ can be resolved by using various options in MS Excel, it may lead to a partial loss of information. Thus, you must perform these operations after taking a backup of the Excel worksheet. Also, if the MS Excel options fail to resolve the problem, you can use an Excel file repair software, such as Stellar Repair for Excel. The software helps fix Excel file corruption and restores the information and data from corrupt or damaged Excel files (.xls/.xlsx) to a new worksheet.

Ways to Fix the “Failed to Parse the Corrupted Excel File” Error

Summary: While parsing an Excel file, you may experience the “Failed to parse the corrupted Excel file” error. It usually occurs if the Excel file is corrupt. This blog covers some easy fixes to fix this Excel error. It also mentions an advanced Excel repair tool that can help fix the issue by repairing the corrupted file.

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You may encounter the “Failed to parse the corrupted Excel file” error when parsing (extracting or converting) the data in an Excel file. This error usually occurs if the Excel file is corrupted – either completely or partially (some of its objects, like formulas, macros, and values are corrupt). However, there are various other reasons that may lead to this Excel error. Let’s know the possible causes behind the “Failed to parse the corrupted Excel file” error and how to fix it.

Causes of the “Failed to parse the corrupted Excel file” Error

This error could occur due to any of the following causes:

  • Damaged or corrupted macros
  • Excel document is closed suddenly
  • Issues with Excel application installation
  • Virus or malware attack
  • Hardware failure
  • Bad sectors on the hard drive

Ways to Fix the “Failed to parse the corrupted Excel file” Error

Here are some possible ways to fix this error and recover the Excel file.

Method 1: Try to Save the File in a Different Format

Sometimes, the error can occur if the file format is not compatible with your Excel version. You can try saving the file to a different format. To do this, follow the below steps:

  • Open the Excel file.
  • Click on the File option and then select Save As.
  • Click on Browse option and then click Save as Type.

Save As Window

  • Select the desired Excel file format and click Save.

Method 2: Revert to the Previously Saved Version of the Excel File

You can try reverting to the previously saved version of the Excel file. Here’s how:

  • Open your Excel application.
  • Navigate to File > Info > Manage Workbook.

Go To Manage Workbooks

  • Click Recover unsaved workbooks.

Click Recover Unsaved Workbooks

  • Click on the Restore option you see at the top of the file.

Method 3: Set the Calculation Option to Manual

When the calculation mode is set to automatic, Excel automatically recalculates all the formulas in the file even if you make a minor change. It can take time to load the file and stop you from parsing data in your Excel file. You can change the calculation option to manual so that Excel only recalculates when you explicitly tell the application to do it. Here are the steps:

  • Open your Excel application.
  • Navigate to File and then click Options.
  • In Excel Options, select Formulas.
  • Under Workbook Calculation, select Manual and click OK.

Select Manual On Excel Options

Method 4: Use Open and Repair Utility

You can try repairing the corrupted Excel file with Excel’s inbuilt tool – Open and Repair . To use the tool, follow the steps cited below:

  • In Excel, go to the File tab and then click Open.
  • Click Browse to select the corrupted file.
  • The Open dialog box will appear. Click on the corrupted file.
  • Click on the arrow next to the Open button and then click Open and Repair.
  • You will see a dialog box with three buttons Repair, Extract Data, and Cancel.

Click Repair Button

  • Click on the Repair button to recover as much of your work as possible.
  • After repair, a message will appear (as shown in the below figure).

Message After Repair

  • Click Close.

What If None of the Above Methods Works?

The above methods may fail to work if the Excel file is severely damaged. In such a case, we recommend using an efficient Excel repair tool , such as Stellar Repair for Excel. It can quickly repair corrupted Excel (.XLS/.XLSX) files. It can recover all the objects from the file, including charts, tables, formulas, etc. You can download the free trial version of the tool to preview the recoverable data.

Conclusion

Above, we have discussed some tried and tested methods to fix the “Failed to parse the corrupted Excel file” error. If the Excel file is severely damaged or corrupted, you can try repairing it using a third-party Excel repair software, like Stellar Repair for Excel . It can repair multiple Excel files without affecting the original formatting. The tool is compatible with all Excel versions.

[Fixed] Excel PivotTable Overlap Error | Troubleshooting Guide

In Excel, you need to refresh the pivot table data source after adding new data. However, sometimes, while refreshing the pivot table, you may experience an error “PivotTable Report cannot Overlap.” This issue usually appears when there are multiple pivot tables in a single worksheet. It often occurs when you try to place one pivot table on top of another or if you try to set a common cell range to multiple pivot tables. However, there are many other causes associated with the error.

Reasons for a pivot table report cannot overlap another pivot table report issue:

  • Merged cells in a pivot table may cause the overlap issue
  • Using the same range of cells for multiple pivot tables
  • Hidden columns
  • Preserve formatting option is enabled
  • Modifying the pivot table using a macro that is corrupted
  • Using the workbook.RefreshAll method incorrectly
  • Number of pivot items goes beyond the number of cells available
  • Excel file is corrupt
  • Corrupted Pivot table
  • Some columns are labeled with the same name

Methods to Fix Excel PivotTable Report Cannot Overlap Error

You can get the pivot table overlapping issue if the field in pivot table crossed the maximum items limit. According to the Microsoft guide, you can specify up to 1,048,576 items to return per field. Check the cell fields in your pivot table. Also, make sure each column’s label is unique. Sometimes, the hidden columns or hidden sheets can also prevent you from modifying the pivot tables. You can check for hidden columns in the Data view.

If the error still persists, then try the below-mentioned methods to fix the error.

1. Move the Pivot Table to a New Worksheet

The “PivotTable Report cannot Overlap” error can occur if there is an issue with the columns in the pivot table. In this case, you can try moving the pivot table to a new worksheet. Moving the pivot table to a different worksheet automatically resets the column width according to the new sheet and creates space that can help in preventing the overlapping issue. Here are the steps to do so:

### **2\. Disable the Background Refresh Option**

When the background refresh option is enabled, then Excel updates the pivot table in the background after every minor change. It may create issue if you have a large-sized Excel file with multiple pivot tables. You can try disabling the background refresh option. Here’s how:

  • The Connection Properties dialog box is displayed. Unselect the “Enable background refresh” option and select the “Refresh data when opening the file”

  • Click **OK.

    enable background refresh in connection properties window

    **

3. Disable Autofit Column Widths

When the Autofit column widths option is enabled, Excel automatically resizes the pivot table whenever you make changes to it. These automatic adjustments can sometimes add or remove fields which can result in the PivotTable Report cannot Overlap issue. To fix this, you can disable the “Autofit column widths on update” option. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Right-click on any field on the pivot table.

  • Select **PivotTable Options.

    Select Pivot Table

    **

  • In the PivotTable Options window, unselect Autofit column widths on update.

    select autofit column widths in pivot table options

  • Click on the OK.

4. Check the Workbook.RefreshAll Method

Several users have reported experiencing the “Excel PivotTable Report cannot Overlap” error when using the Workbook.RefreshAll method. This method is used to refresh data ranges in the pivot report. Sometimes, the error can occur due to missing variable that is representing an object (workbook) in a query. So, make sure you’re using the Workbook.RefreshAll function correctly.

5. Repair your Excel File

You may also encounter the “A PivotTable Report cannot Overlap” error if the Excel file is corrupted. You can use the inbuilt utility in Excel - Open and Repair to repair the corrupt file. Here’s how:

  • In your Excel application, click on the File tab and then click Open.
  • Click Browse to select the desired file.
  • In the Open dialog box, click on the corrupted file.
  • Click on the arrow next to the Open button and then click Open and Repair.
  • Click on the Repair
  • In the displayed message, click Close.

If the “Open and Repair” utility fails to fix the issue, then it means there is high level of corruption in the Excel file. To tackle this, you can take the help of a professional Excel file repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Excel. The tool can easily repair severely corrupted Excel file and recover all the objects of the file, such as pivot tables, macros, charts, etc. with 100% integrity. You can download the free trial version of the tool to check its functionality.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the possible reasons behind the “PivotTable Report cannot overlap” error in Excel. You can follow the methods mentioned above to fix the issue. The error may also occur if the Excel file gets corrupted. In this case, you can try repairing the corrupted Excel file using the Open and Repair utility or consider using Stellar Repair for Excel . The tool makes the process of repairing the Excel file smooth and quick.

Fixed “Cannot Insert Object” Error in Excel | Step-by-Step Guide

Summary: The error “cannot insert object” in MS Excel can prevent you from modifying objects in the worksheet. This blog will discuss the primary reasons behind this error and the possible solutions to fix it. You will also learn about a professional Excel repair software that can help fix the error if it has occurred due to corruption in Excel file.

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Many users have reported encountering the “cannot insert object” error while adding/embedding objects into the Excel file. It usually occurs when using Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to add content (PDF, Microsoft documents) from external applications to worksheet. The error can also occur when using ActiveX control in Excel. Below, we’ll explain why you cannot insert object into Excel sheet and how to troubleshoot the issue.

Why the “Cannot Insert Object” Error Occurs?

  • Macro Settings can prevent the insertion of objects into a workbook.
  • The Excel file in which you are trying to add an element is corrupted.
  • The object (you are inserting into the workbook) is damaged.
  • Object size limitations.
  • System’s insufficient memory might prevent new objects’ addition.
  • Incompatible Excel file format.
  • Add-ins controls are disabled.
  • Incompatible or faulty Add-ins.
  • Issue with Security Settings.

Methods to Fix the “Cannot Insert Object” Error in Excel

You may encounter the “Cannot insert object” error when trying to add an element stored on a network. It can occur due to issues with the file link, such as incorrect file location. In such a case, you can check the link by selecting the link to file option from the Insert tab.

Sometimes, the error can occur if the file in which you are trying to insert the object is locked and password-protected. In this case, you can unprotect the Excel file . If the issue still persists, then you can follow the below methods.

Method 1: Check and Change Restricted Security Settings

Excel provides security settings to protect your workbook. Sometimes, these settings can prevent inserting objects in the file. You can change the security settings to allow Excel to insert objects. To do so, follow these steps:

  • Open your Excel application.
  • Locate the File and then click Options.
  • In Excel Options, click Trust Center.

Trust Center In Excel Options

  • Click Trust Center Settings.
  • In the Trust Center Settings window, select Protected View from the left pane.

Click Protected View In Trust Center

  • Under Protected View, unselect the below three options:
  • Enable Protected View for files originating from the internet.
  • Enable Protected View for files located in potentially unsafe locations.
  • Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments.

Select All Options Under Protected View

  • Click OK.
  • Once you’re done with this, click on Macro Settings in the Trust Center window.
  • Under Macro Settings, make sure “Disable all macros without notification” is not selected. If it is selected, then unselect it. After that, click OK.

Click Macro Settings And Disable Macros Without Notifications

  • Restart Excel to apply the changes.

Method 2: Uninstall Microsoft Office Updates

You can also encounter the “Cannot insert object” error in Excel after installing MS Office updates. It might be due to the issues with the installed updates. To fix this, you can uninstall the recently installed Office updates. To uninstall the Office updates, follow these steps:

  • Go to the system’s Control Panel.
  • Click Programs and then click Program and Features.
  • Search for “View Installed Updates” and click on the desired Office updates.
  • Right-click on it and then click Uninstall.
  • Follow the uninstallation steps on the screen.
  • Once the process is complete, restart the system.

Method 3: Check Memory Usage

The “Cannot insert object” issue can also occur if your system is low on memory. You can check and close unnecessary processes and applications running in the background to free up memory. To do so, follow these steps:

  • Press CTRL + ALT + DEL on the keyboard and click Task Manager.
  • Click on the Processes tab and search for any unnecessary processes.
  • Right-click on the process and then select End Task.
  • Restart Excel to see if the issue is fixed.

Method 4: Check Excel File Size

If your Excel file size exceeds the prescribed limit, it can also lead to the “Cannot insert Excel object” error. So, check the Excel file size. You can reduce the file size by removing unnecessary objects, such as formulas or images.

Method 5: Check and Change Excel ActiveX Settings

You can get the “Excel cannot insert object” error if your Excel file contains macros, controls, and other interactive buttons. It usually occurs if the ActiveX Controls option is disabled. You can check and change the ActiveX Settings to fix the issue. Here are the steps:

  • Open your Excel application.
  • Navigate to File and then click Options.
  • In Excel Options, click the Trust Center tab.
  • In the Trust Center Settings, click ActiveX Settings.
  • Under ActiveX Settings, make sure the “Enable all controls without restrictions and without prompting” option is selected.

select enable all controls without restrictions under activexsettings

  • If the option is not selected, then select it and click OK.
  • Restart the Excel and check if the error is fixed or not.

Method 6: Repair the Excel Workbook

The “Cannot insert object” error can occur if the object you are trying to insert is corrupted or the file in which you are inserting the object is damaged. If the issue has occurred due to a corrupted Excel file, then you can repair the file using the Open and Repair utility in MS Excel. To use this Microsoft-inbuilt utility, follow these steps:

  • In the Excel application, go to the File tab and then click Open.
  • Click Browse to choose the affected file.
  • The Open dialog box is displayed. Click on the corrupted file.
  • Click on the arrow next to the Open button and then click Open and Repair.
  • Click on Repair.

Click On Repair Option

  • After repair, a message will appear (as shown in the below figure).

Click Close Option In Repair Message

  • Click Close.

If the Open and Repair utility fails to fix the issue, then try a professional Excel Repair software, like Stellar Repair for Excel. It is designed to repair severely corrupted Excel files. It can restore all the Excel file objects, such as tables, charts, formulas, etc. It helps fix all types of corruption related errors. The software is compatible with all versions of Excel.

Conclusion

You might encounter the “Cannot insert object” error when embedding or inserting objects in Excel. In this post, we have discussed the possible solutions to fix this error. We have also mentioned an Excel repair software that can help to easily repair the corrupted Excel file and recover all the data. You can download the Stellar Repair for Excel’s free demo version to preview the recoverable objects of the corrupted Excel file.

How to Fix “File Not Loaded Completely” Error in Excel?

Summary: You may get the “File not loaded completely” error when opening a large-sized Excel file. Read this post to understand the causes behind this issue and the troubleshooting solutions to fix this Excel error. Also, you’ll get to know about an Excel repair tool that can help fix the issue if the cause is corruption in the Excel file.

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Several users have reported experiencing the “File not loaded completely” error while opening Excel spreadsheets or when importing CSV file into Excel. This error can occur if the worksheet has crossed the maximum rows and columns limit , i.e., 1048576 rows by 16,386 columns. However, this issue can also occur due to various other reasons. Let’s take a look at the possible causes behind this error.

Why this Error Occurs?

The “File not loaded completely” issue can occur due to one of the following reasons:

  • The Excel file you are trying to open is corrupted.
  • The Excel file is too large.
  • The Excel file has crossed the rows limit.
  • Memory issue in your system.

Methods to Resolve the “File not Loaded Completely” Error

Following are some methods you can try to fix the Excel file not loaded completely issue.

Method 1: Try to Import the Spreadsheet into MS Access

A large-sized Excel file takes time and memory to load. When you try opening a large file, you may get the “file not loaded completely” error. It indicates your file contains unwanted rows and columns. In such a case, you can try importing your spreadsheet into Access. By doing this, you can easily access the rows and columns in the database table, and then remove the extra rows. Follow the steps below to import your spreadsheet into Access:

  • Open a blank database in Access application.
  • Navigate to the External Data tab and then click on the Excel button.

Open Get Data Excel Spreadsheet Window In Excel

  • In the Get Data-Excel Spreadsheet window, click Browse.

Click Browse On Get External Data Excel Spreadsheet

  • In the File Open dialog box, select the Excel file (in which you are getting the error) and click Open.

File Open Dialog Box In File Open Dialog Box

  • Select Import the source data into a new table in the current database and click OK.

Click Import The Source Data Into A New Table Option

  • In the Import Spreadsheet Wizard window, you’ll see all the rows and columns of your Excel file. Click Next.

Click Next On Import Spreadsheet Wizard

  • In the dialog box that appears, you can modify the field information (extra columns or rows).

Modify Info In Import Spreadsheet Wizard

  • Once you performed the changes, click on the Next button.

  • Provide a name to the table.

Provide Name To Table In Import Spreadsheet Wizard

  • Next, select the option “I would like a wizard to analyze my table after importing the data” (if you want to analyze the data) and click Finish.
  • You will get a dialog box with a message. Click Yes. Provide Name To Table In Import Spreadsheet Wizard
  • The Table Analyzer wizard will appear on the screen.

Table Analyzer Wizard Window

  • Click on the Next button.

Click Next On Table Analyzer Wizard

  • Follow the instructions of the Table Analyzer wizard.
  • Once you complete all the steps, select “Save import step” and click Close.

Get External Data Excel Spreadsheet

Method 2: Split Your Large Excel File

You may face the Excel file not loaded completely issue when importing a large Excel file. In such a case, you can try splitting your large file into smaller ones. To split the file, you can use VBA codes or the move or copy feature.

Method 3: Stop Unwanted Processes Running in the Background

Sometimes, you get the “File not loaded completely” error if you are running multiple files or programs simultaneously. You can check and stop unnecessary background processes in Windows using your system’s Task Manager. Here are the steps:

  • Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open the Task Manager window.

Task Manager Window

  • Navigate to the Processes tab and check the Memory section.
  • You can see the memory consumption of all the applications in your system.
  • Select the unwanted applications and click on End Task.

End Task In Task Manager

Now, try to open the Excel file.

Method 4: Repair your Excel File

Sometimes, Excel throws the “File not loaded completely” error if it fails to read the data in your file. This might happen if your Excel file is corrupt. You can use the Open and Repair utility in Excel to repair your Excel file. Follow the below steps:

  • In Excel, click the File tab and then click Open.
  • Click Browse to select the desired file.
  • In the Open dialog box, click on the corrupted file.
  • Click on the arrow next to the Open button and then select Open and Repair.

File Open Dialog Box In File Open Dialog Box

  •  Click on the Repair button.

Click On Repair Button

  • After repair, you will see a message as shown in the below figure.

After Repair Excel Completed File Level Validation Message

  • Click Close.

An Alternative Solution

If your file gets corrupted, then repairing it using the “Open and Repair” utility is a good option. However, the Open and Repair utility may not work if the file is severely damaged or corrupted. In such a case, you can use a professional Excel repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Excel. This tool is primarily designed to repair inaccessible or corrupted Excel files. It can effectively work even if your file is too large or severely damaged. It can recover all the data from the corrupted Excel file without impacting its actual format. The software supports Excel files of almost all Excel versions.

Conclusion

The File not loaded completely issue in Excel may occur due to numerous reasons. Try the troubleshooting methods listed above to resolve the issue. If the Excel file is corrupt, then you can try repairing your file using the Open and Repair tool. However, it can fix only minor corruption issues. If your file is severely corrupted, then use Stellar Repair for Excel . The software offers you the safest way to repair your Excel file without making any changes in the formatting. You can download the free trial version of the software today to scan and preview the Excel file.

File Format and Extension of [filename] don’t Match in Excel File

Summary: The “File format and extension of [filename] don’t match. The file could be corrupted or unsafe” error message indicates that the Excel file you’re trying to open is unsupported, unsafe, or corrupted. Read this article to learn more about this error and how to fix this error. It also mentions an advanced Excel recovery tool to repair the corrupted Excel file and retrieve all its data in a few clicks.

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You can encounter the “File format and extension of [filename] don’t match. The file could be corrupted or unsafe” error when the Excel application detects any issue with the file. This happens when you try to open an old version file format in a newer version or if the file is received from an unsafe destination. This can prevent you from opening the Excel file.

As indicated from the error message, this error occurs due to the following reasons:

  • The file has incorrect file extension.
  • The file is corrupted.
  • The file you are trying to open is protected.

Now, let’s see how to resolve this Excel error.

Methods to Fix the “File format and extension of [filename] don’t match” Error

Try the following methods to troubleshoot the “File format and extension don’t match” error in Excel.

Method 1: Rename the Excel File

You can face the “File format and extension don’t match” issue if the file has incorrect extension. It can occur if the file extension has been altered or you’ve mistakenly saved the file with incorrect extension. To fix this, you can try renaming the Excel file with the correct file extension.  

Method 2: Check the Default Excel File Format

Different versions of Microsoft Excel use different default file formats. For example, .xls is the default file format of older versions (2003 and lower) of Excel, whereas .xlsx format is used by the newer versions (2007 and later). Opening the Excel file with an incompatible extension can cause the “File format and extension don’t match” issue. You can check the Excel version you are using and ensure it’s compatible with the Excel file you are trying to open.

Method 3: Change the Protected View Settings

You may receive the “File format and extension of excel don’t match” error if the Excel file is protected. You can check and try disabling the Protected View settings .  

Caution: Changing the Protected View settings can put your system at risk. If the Excel file is being downloaded from the internet, it may contain viruses that can infect your system. So be careful before disabling the Protected View settings.

Steps to Change Protected View Settings in Excel:

  • In the Excel’s File menu, click on Options.
  • Select Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.

Go to Trust Center and then click Trust center settings.

  • Under Trust Center, select Protected View and disable the below three options:
  • Enable Protected View for files originating from the internet.
  • Enable Protected View for files located in potentially unsafe locations.
  • Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments.

In the Trust Center Window, go to the Protected View tab and Disable all Protected View Checkboxes.

  • Click OK. Then, try to open the Excel file.

Method 4: Check and Provide the Excel File Permissions

Sometimes, you can get the error if you don’t have sufficient permissions to open the Excel file. This usually happens when you try to open the Excel file received from other sources. You can check and provide the desired permissions to fix the error. Here are the steps:

  • Locate the affected Excel file, right-click on it, and select Properties.

Right Click on Excel file and click on Properties

  • In the Properties window, click the Securities option and select Edit.

In Properties, Go to the Security Tab and click on Edit.

  • In the Security window, under ‘Group or users name’, select the user names. Check the file permissions and make sure Full Control is enabled. If not, then click on the Add option.

click add option under permissions

  • Click on the Advanced option in the Users, Computers, Service Accounts, or Groups window**.**

Under Users, Computers, Service Accounts, or Groups window, click on Advanced.

  • Click the Find Now option. A list of all users and groups appears in the search field.

In the Select Users, Computers, Service Accounts, or Groups window, click on Find Now.

  • Select “Everyone” from the list and then click OK.

Select Everyone from the Search Results and Click on OK.

  • In the object names field, you will see ‘Everyone’. Click on OK.

After the ‘Everyone’ username is entered in the object names field, click on OK.

  • In the Permissions window, select “Everyone” and enable all options (Full Control, Modify, Read & Execute, Read, and Write) under Permissions for Everyone.

Allow all Permissions for ‘Everyone’ by checking the boxes under Allow

  • Click Apply and then OK.

Method 4: Repair your Excel File

As the error message indicates, corruption is one of the causes of the “File format and extension of [filename] don’t match” error. If your file is corrupted, you can repair it using Microsoft’s built-in Open and Repair tool. Here are the steps to run the Open and Repair tool to repair corrupted Excel file:

  • In Excel, click on File.
  • Click Open and then click on Browse to select the corrupted Excel file.
  • In the Open dialog box, click the Excel workbook (in which you are facing the error).
  • Click the arrow next to the Open button and select Open and Repair.
  • Then, click Repair to recover as much data as possible.
  • The Excel prompts a message after the repair process is complete. Click Close.

The Open and Repair utility may fail to give the intended results. In such a case, you can repair the corrupted/damaged Excel file using a specialized Excel repair tool . Stellar Repair for Excel is one such tool that can repair severely corrupted Excel files. With the help of this tool, you can quickly recover all the objects from the Excel file. The tool has a simple user interface that even a non-technical can use to repair the Excel files. The tool can also repair multiple Excel files at once. You can check the tool’s functionality by downloading its demo version.

Closure

You can encounter the “File format and extension of [filename] don’t match” error due to different reasons. To resolve the issue, you can check the file extension, permissions, protected settings, etc. If you suspect the error has occurred due to corruption in the Excel file, you can try repairing the Excel file using the Open and Repair tool. If nothing works for you, then try Stellar Repair for Excel . It can repair highly damaged Excel files and recover all the data while preserving the file properties and cell formatting. The tool can help you fix all the common corruption-related errors quickly.


  • Title: Excel File Recovery – Recover Corrupt Excel 2023 Files Easily | Stellar
  • Author: Nova
  • Created at : 2024-07-17 17:11:16
  • Updated at : 2024-07-18 17:11:16
  • Link: https://phone-solutions.techidaily.com/excel-file-recovery-recover-corrupt-excel-2023-files-easily-stellar-by-stellar-guide/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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Excel File Recovery – Recover Corrupt Excel 2023 Files Easily | Stellar