how to access a previous version of excel

Anonymous
2024-07-02T02:48:35+00:00

I attempted to open current version and got a error message: .......file format or file extension is not valid .......; fil extension is valid showing .xlsx.

Upon viewing version history the 2 most recent versions on file are dated 24-06-29. The latest shows 0KB (data wiped some how.) The next on the list is same date and time showing 36.0KB.

How does one access a precious version of an excel file.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Gunasekar N 51,455 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-07-02T03:34:36+00:00

    Hello KentLaBerge,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community and I'll be glad to assist you today.

    I understand that you are experiencing an error "name of file.xlsx because the file format or file extension is not valid" when opening a spreadsheet.

    You encounter this error message under the following circumstances:

    1. The file is incompatible with the Excel version.
    2. The file is damaged or corrupted.

    Did you try opening the same file in the Online version of Excel, online XLSX Viewer or Google Sheets and see if it helps?

    A. To open the damaged file, you can try changing file extensions and check if they help.

    1. Copy files from one folder to another folder or to the desktop.

    (Before renaming, select "View>Show>File Extensions" on the menu bar to rename the file extension)

    1. Rename the .xlsx file to ".xlsx" and the file to ".xls".
    2. Click OK.
    3. Double-click the file and open it. It that didn't work,

    Also see, the 'Repair a corrupted workbook' article to recover the damaged file-

    https://support.microsoft.com/help/153a45f4-6ca...

    B. To find the previous version of the file,

    1. Open the file you were working on.
    2. Go to File > Info.
    3. Select Version History.

    Image

    Select the versions you would like to restore and select it.
    Related article for your reference:'

    https://support.microsoft.com/help/169cb166-e7e...     

    I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help you further.

    Best regards,

    Gunasekar N

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-02T17:33:10+00:00

    Access to previous versions was available thru online version of excel, so managed to copy back to file folder on pc.

    Thx

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  3. Gunasekar N 51,455 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-07-02T17:50:09+00:00

    KentLaBerge, thank you for your reply.

    It is good to hear that you were able to access your previous version of the Excel file online.

    Best regards,

    Gunasekar N

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