File format or file extension not valid error when opening documents

Question

i bought new computer and transferred my Microsoft office account to the new computer. I need to use excel, word, etc. for work and school. my account transferred but when i try to open documents in the new computer i get a transferred my Microsoft office from another account. none of my documents will open on new computer it says this can't open my document because the file extension or file format is not valid. anyone have recommendations on how to fix that?

Answer 1

Hi Macelop,

Good day. Since this started after moving your files to the new computer, let's first check whether the problem is with the files themselves or with Office.

1. Right-click one of the affected files > Properties and check the file type and size. If the file has a very small size (for example, 0 KB), the transfer may not have completed correctly.
2. Try opening the same document from its original location on the old computer, if you still have access to it. If it opens there, copy that file again to the new computer rather than moving it.
3. If the file opens on the old computer but not the new one, make sure you're signed into the new Office apps with the same Microsoft account that has your Microsoft 365 license.
4. Also check that the file extension matches the program: Excel: .xlsx, .xls, .xlsm Word: .docx, .doc, .docm

If several different Word and Excel files all show the same "file extension or file format is not valid" error, the Office installation or the file transfer may need further checking. Try to open one affected file and one newly created Word/Excel file on the new computer. That will help determine whether we're dealing with damaged/transferred files or an Office issue.

Jhun