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Excel error "cannot open file because the file format or file extension is not valid."

Anonymous
2010-06-08T08:47:34+00:00

I am trying to open an xlsx file (I have windows 7) and an error message "cannot open file because the file format or file extension is not valid." I have tried renaming without the x, and also opening in a different version of excel, but the programme will not let me. Any ideas? I'd really appreciate any help!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-20T18:07:49+00:00

    What if the file is located on a wiki site and when a user clicks on the link to download the file and open in Excel they receive the same error. The file works correctly locally and from a network share but produces the error when downloading from a wiki?

    This seems to be happening in Windows 7 in Office 2010.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-05-27T13:31:04+00:00

    With Excel 2007, I would first try to open the file in Open and Repair mode.

    1. Create a copy (with the original file extention) and note the location.
    2. Open Excel with a blank workbook. Optionally close the blank workbook.
    3. Click the Office button, then Open.
    4. Navigate to the copy of the file you created earlier and highlight it (e.g. single click).
    5. In the lower right area (left of Cancel) there is an Open button with other options available from the drop arrow at the right side of the button. ChooseOpen and Repair.
    6. When asked about Excel can perform checks..., select Repair.

    Did that rectify the problem? If not you may have to repeat the process selectingExtract data instead to get all values and formulas in order to reconstruct your work.

    *see also:*Repairing a corrupted workbook

    *http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/repairing-a-corrupted-workbook-HA*

    • If this proposed solution has resolved your issue(s), please return and mark it as Answered for others to consider.

    Thank you very match but some data not recovered.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-03-23T21:52:23+00:00

    Hi , I have the same problem

    im using windows 8 professional , Office 2010 business suite , and all of a sudden i found that all the office documents i have " word , excel , powerpoint " became corrupted

    im using kaspersky pure 2 as an antivirus and didnt find any virus ,

    how can i retrieve all the data i lost , keeping in mind i dont have a backup from it

    10 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2014-01-12T09:18:51+00:00

    Hi Jeeped, thank you so much for your help with this.  When I try your instructions & choose the Repair option it gives me the same error message again.  If I choose the Extract Data option it gives me 2 choices Convert to Values and Recover Formulas - both options lead to Unable to Read File then The Worksbook Cannot Be Opened By Microsoft Excel Because it is Corrupt.  Can you please help me with this?  Thanks again

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