excel desktop 365 does not recognize encrypted files.

Question

Error: "We found a problem with some content in '****.xlsx'. Do you want us to recover as much as we can?...."
Windows 10 pro
Excel does not even prompt for a password.
But if I change the extension to 'xls' now excel will prompt for password and open the file

Answer 1

Hi @Juan Henao

Welcome to Q&A forum ~

Can this .xlsx file be opened normally with Excel for Microsoft 365 Apps on other computers or other versions of Excel?

As you can open this file after change the file extension, please check whether there is any external data, such as the table from Power Query.
If so, it's recommended to back up the file fist, then open it and click the table > Table Design tab > External Table Data group, click Unlink. Save it as the .xlsx file to check this issue.

I suggest also you open this file in safe mode to have a check. Safe mode can help us troubeshooting the start items and COM add-ins.

• Please hold on Ctrl key, click or double-click Excel icon, until Excel asks you to start Excel in safe mode, then please release Ctrl key and click "Yes".
• And then browse this .xlsx file to open.

Any updates, welcome to post back.

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