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Excel File Extension Error

Anonymous
2020-07-21T17:28:21+00:00

Just download and installed the latest version of Microsoft Office.  When I try an open an excel file (has the .xlsx extension) I get the following error: " Excel cannot open the file 'xxxxxxx.xlsx' because the file format or file extension is not valid.  Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension is matches the format of the file."****

I have changed the extension to 'xls' but it didn't work either.  I was able to open the file on my other iMac without issue.

HELP!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | MacOS

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.4K Reputation points
    2020-07-28T19:53:07+00:00

    I second Jim's initial point & add that neither does changing the extension change the file type, which is the primary concern.

    Did you Restart your Mac after installing Office?

    Have you tried using File> Open in the Excel menu rather than double-clicking the files?

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-28T17:31:57+00:00

    Having the same issue even though the version is 16.39. Any other ideas?

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  3. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-07-21T19:22:02+00:00

    Manually changing file extensions does not change the contents of the file. Most often, it corrupts the file, so please don't do that unless you're working with a copy of the file.

    Please go to the Excel menu and choose About Excel. If the version is not 16.39, please go to the Help menu and choose Check for Updates, then allow AutoUpdate to install updates. Test again, and reply with the results. Thanks.

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  4. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-07-21T19:19:41+00:00

    This is a standard warning that I give whenever I see a thread had a message from a support scammer. You may have not seen the message (it was deleted from the forum), but if you had subscribed to the thread would you have received an email with the scam message. Just in case, here's my warning:

    Do NOT respond to replies asking you to contact Microsoft Support, Executive, agent, tech, MVP, advisor or anyone else.

    No legitimate person or entity will ever ask you to call or contact them. Do not call phone numbers. Do not reply to email messages. Do not click links to phony agents in your web browser.

    Questions and comments are answered in the forums themselves, not elsewhere.

    A request asking you to contact someone is fake. It is an attempt to take over your computer, steal your data, your money and your identity.

    Protect yourself from phishing schemes and other forms of online fraud - Office Support

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