Excel cannot open this file

Question

We have three excel files, in the same folder, created on iPad that cannot be opened through OneDrive Online or on a computer.

When trying to open on any Mac who has access to this folder, I get this message:  

When trying to open online, I get this message:

I have tried restoring an older version with no luck. I also get this error when trying to open a file from online:

When trying to open on an iPad, I get this message: "Can't open file.  Microsoft Excel can't open the file 'filename'.xlsx' because its file format or file extension isn't valid, or the file might be damaged."

To summarize, three separate people are creating excel files on their own iPad.  The files are then emailed to another person who saves them in her OneDrive shared folder.  The Excel files cannot be opened from OneDrive or Online or even the original file sent through email.

iPad Excel Version:  2.1

Mac Excel Version:  15.34

Mac OneDrive Version: 17.3.6725

Thoughts?  Advice?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi Adam,

To clarify your situation, please confirm the following information.

1.Confirm whether it happens a specific file or all the template files.

2.Provide the detailed steps about how you created the problematic template file, and share problematic files(a template and a file) with us via Private Message.

3.Confirm whether the file is stored in your OneDrive for Business library. Did you change any settings to your OneDrive for Business library before the issue happened?

4.Did it work properly after you reset Excel?

Regards,

Felix

Answer 2

Hi Adam,

Could you share any updates?

Regards,

Felix

Answer 3

Felix & others

To clarify your situation, please confirm the following information.

1.Confirm whether it happens a specific file or all the template files.

• This happens with all Excel Template Files (xltx) when opened from OneDrive on the iPad.  I even created a new template file (xltx), saved it to my OneDrive, then opened the file with my iPad from OneDrive.  Any changes done are automatically saved back to the template file.
• OneDrive should be smart enough to know this is a template file and tell Excel to create a new file from the template.
• Before Version 2 of Excel - the process of opening a template file from OneDrive worked well and would create a new file with no name so the template could not be overwritten or updated.

2.Provide the detailed steps about how you created the problematic template file, and share problematic files(a template and a file) with us via Private Message.

• the template file is not promblematic

3.Confirm whether the file is stored in your OneDrive for Business library. Did you change any settings to your OneDrive for Business library before the issue happened?

• the files are stored in OneDrive for Business
• No changes were done to our OneDrive

4.Did it work properly after you reset Excel?

• No

No need for me to send a template file over if this happens on a newly created file too.  I recommend trying this out on your own.  I have this on multiple iPads throughout the company that this is happening on.

I hope Microsoft can fix this.

Thanks,

Adam

Answer 4

Adam

I could tell that I had the same symptom as yours before. I reset my Excel and it turned out to be works. I have no doubt that your template file is good, but if you can share a sample file(you can post a shared link of your onedrive) move this forward.

Meanwhile, from the detailed information above and your initial post, I'm wondering how do your users create Excel files on their iPads. Try creating a new workbook on Excel desktop and save it as a template file, after you let users reset Excel on their iPads, then open it again to check the outcome.

Steven

Answer 5

Hi Adam,

I can't reproduce the situation on Mac or iPad, to clarify your scenario, please confirm the following information:

1.Put the Excel Template file (xltx) on your iPad( not OneDrive) to open it and check the outcome.

2.I have shared a template file with you via Private Message. You may download it and open it on your iPad to see if it works properly.

3.Please share a template you created with us via Private Message.

Regards,

Felix