EXCEL NOT OPENING FILES

Question

MICROSOFT EXCEL FILE ERROR SAYS MOVED RENAMED OR DELETED

Answer 1

The “moved, renamed, or deleted” message usually means Excel’s Recent list or shortcut points to an old location, so find the actual workbook in File Explorer or OneDrive and open it from its current location.

1. Find and open the actual workbook

1. Close the error.
2. Open File Explorer.
3. In the search box, enter part of the workbook name or search for:
   • *.xlsx
   • *.xls
4. Check Documents, Desktop, external drives, and any folders where the file might have been moved.
5. When found, double-click the actual file. Alternatively, open Excel and select File → Open → Browse, then select it.
6. Remove the obsolete entry from Excel’s Recent list so it is not selected again.

If the workbook was stored on a network drive, reconnect to that network or VPN before opening it. A file-not-found message can occur when the configured path or network location is unavailable.^1^

2. If the workbook was in OneDrive

Search OneDrive on the web rather than relying only on the synchronized folder:

1. Sign in to the OneDrive website with the account that originally stored the workbook.
2. Use Search everything and search by filename, xls, or another description.
3. Check Recycle bin.
4. If the workbook is there, select it and choose Restore.
5. If you use both personal and work/school accounts, repeat the search in the other account.

Microsoft recommends searching the OneDrive website first because it shows what is stored in the cloud across synchronized devices.^2^

For a locally deleted synchronized file, also check the Windows Recycle Bin. Right-click the workbook and select Restore; cloud-only deleted files may instead appear only in OneDrive’s recycle bin.^3^

3. If the file exists but Excel cannot access it

Check the complete folder path and filename. Excel does not fully support these characters in a filename or folder path:

< > ? [ ] : | *

It can also fail when the path exceeds 218 characters. In File Explorer, rename the file to remove those characters or move it temporarily to a short local path such as Documents, then open it again.^4^

Do not change .xlsx to another extension merely to make the name look correct; renaming an extension does not convert the file’s format.

4. If only this workbook fails

The workbook might be damaged:

1. Open Excel to a blank workbook.
2. Select File → Open → Browse.
3. Select the affected workbook.
4. Select the arrow beside Open, then Open and Repair.
5. Select Repair.
6. If repair fails, repeat the process and select Extract Data to recover values and formulas.^5^

Work on a copy first if the original is important.

5. If every workbook fails

Test Excel itself:

1. Press Windows+R.
2. Enter Excel /safe and select OK.
3. If files open in Safe Mode, go to File → Options → Add-ins.
4. Set Manage to COM Add-ins, select Go, and clear all checkboxes.
5. Restart Excel normally, then enable add-ins individually to identify the conflicting one.^6^

If Excel still cannot open any workbook, repair Microsoft 365:

• Windows 11: Right-click Start → Installed apps → Microsoft 365/Office → … → Modify.
• Windows 10: Right-click Start → Apps and Features → Microsoft 365/Office → Modify.
• For Click-to-Run installations, choose Online Repair → Repair. This repairs the entire Office suite and may require a restart.^7^

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References

1. 0x80070002 Error code - Microsoft Q&A
2. [Personal](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/find-lost-or-missing-files-in-onedrive)
3. [PC or Mac](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/restore-your-onedrive-files)
4. Excel doesn't fully support some special characters in the filename or folder path | Microsoft Support
5. Repair a corrupted workbook | Microsoft Support
6. Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working | Microsoft Support
7. Repair an Office application | Microsoft Support