How to Resolve ‘Excel Cannot open the file

‘(filename)’.xlsx error in MS Office

2003/2007/2010/2013/2016/2019
stellarinfo.com/support/kb/index.php/article/resolve-error-excel-cannot-open-the-file-filename-xlsx

Modified on: October 22, 2020 | 905083 views

When attempting to open or edit an Excel file in MS Office

2003/2007/2010/2013/2016/2019, several users have reported about receiving
‘Excel cannot open the file because the file format or file extension is not valid’ error
message.

The complete error message reads as follows:

"Excel cannot open the file 'filename.xlsx' because the file format or file
extension is not valid. Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that
the file extension matches the format of the file."

Figure 1 - Excel File Extension not Valid Error Message

In this post, we will outline common reasons behind the error and discuss some effective
solutions to resolve the .xlsx error. We will also explain how you can get your MS Excel
data back.

What Causes ‘Excel File Extension not Valid’ Error?

The error may occur due to any of these reasons:

The file is not compatible with the MS Excel version

The Excel file is corrupt or damaged

How to Fix ‘Excel File Extension not Valid’ Error?

Note: Before using the methods discussed below, try opening your Excel in safe mode.
If the file opens in safe mode, chances are that add-ins issues might be preventing the
file from opening. So, try disabling the add-ins one-by-one to see if the error is
resolved.

Try the below-mentioned methods to resolve the ‘Excel cannot open the file because
the extension is not valid’ error, and regain access to the Excel worksheet:

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Method 1 – Change the Default File Format to Save Excel Workbooks
MS Excel saves workbooks as XLSX or XLS file format by default. In Excel 2003 and
earlier versions, files are saved as XLS. On the other hand, the files get saved in XLSX
file format in Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 versions. You may encounter the
error ‘Excel file extension not valid’ due to an incompatible Excel file extension.

To resolve the issue, try changing the respective Excel version's default file format to any
other file format that MS Excel supports. To do so, execute the following steps:

In Excel 2007, click the ‘Microsoft Office’ button and then ‘Excel Options’. In Excel
2010 and higher versions, click File > Options.
Select Export option.

Figure 2 - Select Export Option in Excel

Select Change File Type option.

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 Figure 3 - Change the Excel File Type

Change the file extension, and then click Save As.

Now check if Excel can open the file.

Method 2 – Recover Unsaved Workbook

If you encounter the ‘Excel file extension not valid error’ when trying to open an unsaved
workbook, try these steps to recover the unsaved workbook:

Go to File and select Info option.

Under Manage Versions, select ‘Recover Unsaved Workbooks’ op

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 Figure 4 - Recover Unsaved Workbooks Option in Excel

If MS Excel has unsaved files then, it will list them. You can open and save it.

Note: The unsaved files default location is:

C:\Users\dazy.parker\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

Method 3 – Use 'Open and Repair' Feature of MS Excel

The ‘Open and Repair’ is a built-in Excel utility, designed to repair damaged Excel files.
To use it, perform the following steps:

Open MS Excel application.

Go to File and Select Open option.
Select the corrupt file and choose Open and Repair option.

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 Figure 5 - Excel Open and Repair Feature

Click Repair to start repairing the file.

Figure 6 - Repair the Microsoft Excel File

Note: If the Excel repair process was not successful the last time you used the ‘Open
and Repair’ feature, repeat the Steps (1) to (4). Next, click the ‘Extract Data’ button to
extract the Excel file's values and formulas.

Method 4 – Use an Excel Repair Software

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If the above manual methods fail to fix the “Excel cannot open the file '(filename)'.xlsx…”
error, repairing the file using a specialized Excel repair software may help.

Stellar Repair for Excel software is purpose-built to repair corrupt XLS and XLSX
files. The software also helps restore entire file items such as table, chart, chart sheet,
image, cell comment, formula, sort, filter, etc., maintaining the original format of the MS
Excel files.

Check out the video to know how to repair

corrupt Excel file by using Stellar Repair for
Excel:

https://youtu.be/VAeGzHnETu0

End Note
Several manual methods, such as the ones discussed in this post, can help fix the ‘Excel
cannot open the file ‘(filename)’.xlsx’ error. We recommend using the Stellar Repair for
Excel software discussed above to resolve the error when other methods fail. Use the
demo version of the software to ascertain its functionality by previewing the recoverable
Excel data.

93 User Comments

Thanks

SUMON

Reply

6/29
Change the File Extension of Your Excel Sheet:
pls explain in wins7 way ..i cnt find the above option in wins7

john

Reply
I THANK YOU SO MUCH! IT WORKED FOR ME. I copied and pasted the
file to my desktop, right-click and changed '.xlsx' to '.xls'. AND BOOM I
HAVE MY FILE BACK. ALL RESEARCH IS UPTO DATE.

Kevin

Reply

Hi John,
Thanks for posting!!

To find this option in Windows 7, follow these steps:

Open the Control panel> Visit Default Programs> Check Associate a file type with a
program.
Thanks

Amit Pandey

Reply
what if after doing all still excel file not opening and showing same error.
all excel file in a particular folder are corrupted. new files and files in other
folders are working properly. plz help how can i get my data

Rahul

Reply

Hi Rahul,

Did you tried our Excel repair software? If not, then download the software from URL
below and repair the corrupted file using the tool:
https://www.stellarinfo.com/repair-excel-file.php

If still need any help, please let me know.

Amit Pandey

7/29
 Nishad Mohammed

Hai, I have also a excel corrupted file , with these following way i cannot
open that file , please help me

Amit Pandey

Hello Nishad,

Try to open your corrupt file in safe mode. Press Windows+R and write excel.exe
/safe and click OK.

Good Luck!

Reply

Hi, I downloaded Stellar but it seems it can not repair my excel file? The message
shows:

Original file size: 0 KB

Total no. of sheets:1
Status: File is severly corrupted,cannot be previewed.

Preview process finished on Sunday, August 16, 2015, 06:28:01 PM

Daniel

Reply

Hi Daniel

Thanks for contacting Us!

Before answering your question, we need the following details:

What is the version of Excel you are using?

Which version of Windows you are using?

Please provide the above details so that we can reply you suitable answer.

Thanks

8/29
 Amit Pandey

Mohi

i have same problem , my excel problem can't open at all , i'm using office
2013 , Win 7 , the massage is ( file format not valid )
could you please how i can resolve this .

Thanks in Advance

Reply
My friend had suggested me to try Google Docs to open the file but it failed. I tried your
suggested software and successfully open the file. It worked for me!

Kavin

Reply

Hi there,

I downloaded your repair software but it could not recover my document. The error
message was:

Original file size: 26 KB

Total no. of sheets:3
Status: File is severly corrupted,cannot be previewed.

I'm using Excel 2007 and Windows Professional 7.

Is there any way to recover my file?

Thanks very much,

Mike

Mike

Reply

Hello Mike,

Can you please sent the corrupt file for review purpose? Without corrupt file, it is very
hard to say anything because your file is severely corrupted.

9/29
You can sent the file at support(at)stellarinfo(dot)com

Thanks

Amit Pandey

Reply
Thanks Amit - I sent it to you on 28th October.

Mike

Reply

Hi Mike,

We have analyzed your file and found that your file is severely corrupted. Sorry to say
but there is no hope of data recovery from this file.

Amit Pandey

Reply
Thank you very much!! I did the same thing Kevin did and it worked.
"THANK YOU SO MUCH! IT WORKED FOR ME. I copied and pasted the
file to my desktop, right-click and changed '.xlsx' to '.xls'. AND BOOM I HAVE MY FILE
BACK. ALL RESEARCH IS UPTO DATE."

Natasha

cadald

whats the type u move..? the folder or the file..? how to change it..? is it
with "renam" of right click..?

Amit Pandey

Hi Cadald,

These are the simple steps to change the Excel file extension. It is not about to change
any folder. If you are unable to do it by the mentioned method then, follow these steps:

10/29
 1. Open MS Excel, choose File option and Click on Options
2. Select Save tab
3. In Save Workbooks section, check the first choice 'Save files in this format' and
choose the appropriate option
4. Click OK

Good Luck!

Reply

Hi Natasha,

Good to know, it is helpful for you.

Amit Pandey

Reply
Hi Amit,
Tried everything. 1)in my folder option there is no tab of 'file type'
2) tried 'open and repair' - didnt work
3) option of changing .xlsx to .xls doesnt appear on right click
can you pls help?

HAIDER

Reply

Hi Haider,

To change the extension of file, just copy and paste the file at any other location and
rename it with new name using .xls as extension.

Hope this information will be helpful. Do let us know for further query.

Good Luck!!

Amit Pandey

Reply
Thanks amit. tried that and renamed the file to abc.xls, now when i try to
open it, it says abc.xls. xlsx cannot be opened.......(same warning).
i also tried using your software it says the fle is corrupt beyond recovery. however thats
(seemingly) not the case since it is a freshly downloaded file.
thanks in advance for your help.

11/29
 HAIDER

Reply
hi amit!! Any advise for me?

HAIDER

Reply

Hello Haider,

Can you please share the corrupt file for review purpose? Without corrupt file, it is very
hard to say anything because your file is severely corrupted.

You can sent the file at support(at)stellarinfo(dot)com

Thanks

Amit Pandey

Reply
my excel file showing error excel cannot open the file '(filename)'.xlsx'
because the file format or file extension is not valid , how can i resolve this
issue please help. asap

Ajay Shaw

Reply

Hi Ajay,

Have you tried all three methods mentioned in the article? If not then please try and
share the result.

Waiting for your answer!

Thanks,
Amit

Amit Pandey

Reply
Still not working..

12/29
 HAZARD

Reply

Hello Hazard,

Have you tried all three methods mentioned in the article?

If still facing issue then please sent your corrupt file at support(at)stellarinfo(dot)com.
We will analyze the file and try to recover data as much as possible.

Thanks,

Amit Pandey

Reply
Hello Amit,
How to determine is it corrupted or in different format?
The user can use the file previously but

Aficio

Reply

Hi Aficio,

Above error message indicates that there is a issue in Excel file or the file has the wrong
file extension.

To determine the exact reason, you should change the file extension. If your file is
working fine after this change that means, the error was extension related otherwise
your file has been corrupted.

You can repair your corrupt Excel file by mentioned methods in article.
Thanks

Amit Pandey

Reply
Hi Amit,
Tried everything. 1)in my folder option there is no tab of 'file type'
2) tried 'open and repair' - didnt work
3) option of changing .xlsx to .xls doesnt appear on right click
can you pls help?

13/29
 rodel carl macasero

Reply

Hello Rodel,

Please download demo version of our Excel repair software and scan your corrupt file
where you want to recover data. Software will thoroughly scan the file and list all the
recoverable data for preview.

Hope this helps. Do let us know your further query, if any.

Thanks,

Amit Pandey

Reply

Hi Amit,

i have tried all three methods above. it still displays the same msg. This excel file has my
important data which has been recovered from a faulty harddisk. All other files besides
this one can open without any issues, except for this one important file.

Could you help me to solve this please?

i would highly appreciate your help.

Nauman

Reply

Hi Nauman,
You can also try this method:
1. Make a copy of your file and Rename the file. Suppose your file name is test.xlsx then
remove ‘.xlsx’ from it. You will get the warning message but, accept it.

2. After doing this, the document icon will turn white. It won’t look like Excel file.

3. Open a new blank Excel file. Go to Open and navigate to the renamed document and
open it.

Good Luck!

Amit Pandey

14/29
 Reply
I have recovered data from a laptop using Stellar Phonix WDR 6 tech. lic .
In that recovery there are 359 files in XLXS folder, but all these files
showing the common error,
I tried all 3 options & this excel repair also unable to show preview.
Iwould highly appreciate your help.

Khushbu

Amit Pandey

Hi Khushbu,

Can you please share some file for review purpose? It looks your file is
severely corrupted. You can sent the file at
support(at)stellarinfo(dot)com or you can also contact our support team directly:
https://www.stellarinfo.com/support/

Thanks,

Reply
excel canot open the file beccause the file format or file extension is not vaild. verify
that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension matches the format of
the file -how to recover the file

Srinivasan

Amit Pandey

Hello Srinivasan,

To fix this error, try the mentioned methods in the KB. If these methods
are not working then, you should change the location of your file and
rename it. Now repeat the repairing process of the KB.

Reply

Hello Amit,
My name is Rahul. I need a favor.
My one of the partition becomes unformatted. Then I recovered all the files from that
partition. I have saved the backup in external hard disk. All the files were opening and

15/29
working properly. After takingg backup, I formatted the lost partition (E drive). After
formatting E drive, I am trying to open excel files for work, but none of the files are
opening. I am getting a message every time (The File you are trying to open is in a
different format than specified by the file extension. Verify that the file is not corrupted
and is from a trusted source before opening the file.

Please tell me how i can resolve this issue.

Thanks
Rahul Jain

Rahul

Amit Pandey

Hello Rahul,

To fix this problem, you need to modify the registry. Follow these steps:

1. Close MS Excel.
2. Press Windows+R and type regedit to open registry. You need admin right to
perform any action on the registry.
3. Click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Office/

/Excel/Security.
4. Go to Edit tab, under New, select DWORD Value.
5. Type ExtensionHardening and hit Enter key.
6. Now right click on ExtensionHardening and select Modify… option.
7. In Value data box, type 0 (Zero) and click OK.
8. Go to File and select Exit option exit from the registry.
9. Now open your Excel file.

I hope it will work for you.

Good Luck!

Reply
Excel Filess Cannot Open the our impotant files Becase coming the error reason for the
file format or file extension is not valid

RAJESH KUMAR JAIPUR

Amit Pandey

16/29
 Hello Rajesh,

Did you try all the methods of this article?

Reply

Amit,

I tried all of the methods above, and i still cannot open my corrupt excel file. I
downloaded the repair program, and it says "This is not a valid xlsx file". Is there
anything else I can do?

Rich O'Reilly

Amit Pandey

Hello Rich,

Please try to change trust center setting. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open MS Excel and go to 'File' and select 'Options'.

2. Select 'Trust Center' and click on 'Trust Center Settings' button.
3. Click 'Protected View'.
4. Uncheck all three options and click 'OK'.
5. Now try to open that file again.

If this solution won't work then, send the corrupt file for analysis at amit[dot]paney
[at]stellarinfo[dot]com.

Good Luck!

Reply
I tried all the options listed previously, but still have the same error, "...file extension
not valid." Can I share this file with you to take a look? Thank you.

Dan L

Amit Pandey

Hi Dan,

17/29
 Please confirm whether you have tried our demo version of Stellar Excel
Repair software. If not, then follow the below link to download the demo
of it:

http://download.stellarinfo.com/StellarRepairforExcel-KB.exe

Free download is use to scan and preview all recoverable Excel data and whatever item
will be shown by our software only those can be recoverable after purchasing the
product.

Regards,
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply

"Excel cannot open the file 'filename.xlsx' because the file format for the file extension
is not valid. Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension
matches the format of the file."

I tried "Stellar Repair for Excel " to scan my corrupted excel file.

The result shown as "file is severely corrupted, cannot be previewed.

Is my excel still recoverable? Can i share my excel with you to take a look? Thank you.

Alan Fong

Reply

I tried "Stellar Repair for Excel " to scan my corrupted excel file, but the
scan result shown as "file is severely corrupted, cannot be previewed."

Is my excel file still recoverable? Can i share my file with you to take a look? Thank You.

Alan Fong

Stellar Support

Thank you for submitting your query.

Software works on "what you see is what you can recover". That means
the file will be repaired in the same manner as you are able to see them in
the preview window after the scanning is complete. However as you are getting message
i.e. File is severely corrupted and can not be previewed, in this case file is severely
damaged and it can not be repaired.

18/29
 If you want us to analyze the file then there would be analysis charges to check the
possibility of repair.

Regards

Kartik
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
I tired all the following methods but it does not work.
When using the stellar data program, it will stop working halfway scanning. Is it
possible for me to send you the excel and you can see if it is recoverable

Kc

Stellar Data Recovery

Hi,

We have forwarded you an email to assist you further.

Please reply to our email so that we can assist you accordingly.

Regards,
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
i have excel file i cant repair. tried every advice from google. can you help me please.

Caroline

Reply

Hi,

We have sent you an email to assist you further.

Please reply to us so that we can assist you accordingly.

Regards,
Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery

19/29
 Reply
I just right clicked ---> open with ---> microsoft excel 2007 ---> it opened -
--> Problem solved

PRASADSENTHAMIZH

support

Hi,

We have forwarded you an email to assist you further.

Please reply to our email so that we can assist you accordingly.

Regards,
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply

In stellar software when i open it says MS Excel not installed stellar software requires
ms excel to be installed. Wherein it is already installed. This error does not even allow
me to select file it just closes the software

2. Unable to proceed further and i think my excel file is also severely damaged.

Shre

Kartik

Hi,

Thank you for contacting.

Please make sure there should no multiple installation of MS Office in

your system.

Reply
I tired all the following methods but it does not work.
When using the stellar data program, it will stop working halfway scanning. Is it
possible for me to send you the excel and you can see if it is recoverable

20/29
 nusrat jivani

Stellar Support

Hi,

We have forwarded you an email to assist you further.

Please reply to our email so that we can assist you accordingly.

Regards,
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
Not able to open excel file

PREM

Reply
I only see excel 2003 installed on my PC, However, earlier, I was able to
open excel 2007 files as well. Ever since this windows 11 got updates, none
of the .xlsx files are opening. Kindly help

nav

support

As per your concern we will contact you through email.

Warm Regards,
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
i had been working in xlsx file for a long time.
Suddenly after windows 10 update the file started giving an error that it is not a valid
extension or a valid excel file.
tried the filed in stellar software the software says it is not a valid xlsx file.

Divya Kothari

21/29
 Stellar Support

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Stellar Data Recovery.

As the software showing that file is not a valid xlsx file, in this case file is
severely corrupted and unfortunately it can not be repaired.

Regards
Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
Thanku...
open excel with repair works
thanks

keshav Garg

Reply

I using the Stellar to repair my file but show below msg :

Original File size :450KB

Total no of sheets :1
Status : File is severly corrupted, cannot be previewed

are you able to advise?

Thanks.

Anne

support

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same.

Regards

22/29
 Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
Please help me retrieve my data. I have tried every steps and recommendations but
according to the report, the file was severely corrupted. But I still believe that you can
retrieve my files.

Keith Dela Cruz

support

Hi,

Thank you for contacting us.

We have responded on your email. Kindly check your email.

Regards,

Stellar Support

Reply
my file is corrput

aziz

Stellar Data Recovery

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same. Kindly reply to it accordingly.

Regards

Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
I already downloaded the stellar still i cannot open my file. But the size indicate 1196kb.
I already tried each one of them. still it's not working for me

23/29
 Paul Lim

Reply

I have the same problem. I copied my file with usb drive. The usb seem
failure, it corrupting the excel data.

I am trying to copy the file with another usb drive.

It works well.

Hendry

support

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same. Kindly reply to it accordingly.

Regards

Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
Plz I also have problems recovery my file and I tried all the methods you have provided
but to no avail.

Joshua

Stellar Data Recovery

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same. Kindly reply to it accordingly.

Regards

24/29
 Stellar Data Recovery

Reply

Hi,

I have tried all the means. I am not able to recover. I have MS Office 2007. Kindly help.

Baskaran

Stellar Support

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same. Kindly reply to it accordingly.

Regards

Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
I tried 3 steps above but still not fix yet.
I downloaded the software and it says,
File is severly corrupted, cannot be previewed.
Please advise what should I do.

Juan

Stellar Data Recovery

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same.

Regards

Stellar Data Recovery

25/29
 Reply

Excel cannot open the file because the file format or file extension is not valid.
I already downloaded the stellar excel repair and it says file is severly corrupted, cannot
be reviewed.

Please help me. Need to recover the data of excel file urgently. Thank you.

Earlt Lugatiman

Stellar Data Recovery

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Stellar Data Recovery.

We would like to inform you that we have sent an email to your email
address regarding for the same.

Regards

Stellar Data Recovery

Reply

Excel cannot open the file because the file format or file extension is not valid.
I already downloaded the stellar excel repair and it says file is severly corrupted, cannot
be reviewed.

Please help me. Need to recover the data of excel file urgently. Thank you.

Earlt Lugatiman

Reply

Hi,

I have formatted my hard disk by mistakenly. and then i recovered all the file using
recovery software. but now recovered excel file is not opening. error is "excel cannot
open the file because the file format or file extension is not valid"

Pls help to resolve.....

Dilly

26/29
 Kartik

Hi,

Our software works on preview basis. It recovers the files in same

manner as it previews in preview window of software.

If preview is available then recovery is possible by our software.

For more assistance, please submit ticket using below link to get help of our experts:

https://www.stellarinfo.com/support/

Regards,

Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
Tried repairing an xlsx file with stellar. message "not a valid ms excel file" appears.
what can I do?

rose

Kartik

Hi,

Please confirm us below mentioned information to analyze issue:

1- Version of MS Office in which corrupted file has been created.

2- Size of corrupted excel file.

3- Are you able to move corrupt file from one location to other location in your system?

For further assistance, please submit ticket to our experts using below link:

https://www.stellarinfo.com/support/

Regards,

Stellar Data Recovery

27/29
 Reply
Tried to recover using the software, got a message saying the file is severely corrupted.
Can we do anything else to recover the file?

sakshi

Kartik

Hi Sakshi,

Please confirm us following details:

1- Reason of file corruption.

2- Version of MS Office in which file was created.

3- File format (xls, xlsx or xlsm).

4- Size of corrupted file.

Further our support team has sent an email to you, kindly reply to their email to get
issue resolved.

Regards,

Stellar Data Recovery

Reply
I paid the license and activated the program and then started the process, but all night
there is only 1 part of the process and nothing more happened. How long does it take? I
don't believe anything else will happen. Does this mean that the program is so damaged
that it cannot be repaired?

Darina

Abdul Majid

Dear Darina,

Please let us know the size of excel file on which software is performing
the scan.

28/29
Kindly also try to make a copy of excel file in another folder and let us know the
outcome.

Reply
User Comments

Stellar Repair for Excel Stellar Repair for Excel is the best choice
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new blank Excel file.

Learn More

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