When you download an Excel file, it usually displays a protected view statement. It serves to warn you about potentially harmful files and to ensure that the sources are trustworthy. In this tutorial, we will show you how to fix the issue with the Excel-protected view office that has detected a problem with this file.
Excel Protected View Office Has Detected a Problem with This File: 4 Handy Approaches
In the image below, we have provided a sample image of Excel showing the protected view message “Office has detected a problem with this file.” We will show you 4 methods of how to solve or remove this warning statement and access it easily through files. There can be several reasons for Excel showing this alert:
- Obtaining flies from untrustworthy sources on the internet or in an unsafe location.
- The file is password-protected or has the Protected View option enabled by someone else.
- Opened from a different OneDrive storage location.
- The file may contain potential viruses.
- A file blocker is preventing you from accessing the file.
- Excel flags the file as invalid and prompts you to validate it.
1. Alter Excel Protected View Settings
Firstly, we will disable the Excel Protected View option by using Excel’s general option.
⇒ Step 1: Go to the Options
- Firstly, click on the File tab and go to Home.
- Select the More option and then click on the Options.
⇒ Step 2: Use the Excel Options
- Select the Trust Center.
- After that, click on the Trust Center Settings.
⇒ Step 3: Disable Protected View
- Click on the Protected View option.
- Unselect the option “Enable protected view for files originating from the internet” to disable the Protected View.
- Click OK at the end. As a result, you won’t get the Protected View message when you open or edit any file.
Read More: [Fixed] Excel Protected View Editing This File Type Is Not Allowed
2. Check Latest Version of Microsoft Excel to Update Features
Sometimes an older version of Excel or an un-updated Excel application will not recognize or open an Excel file. As a result, you’ll need to update the app.
⇒ Steps:
- Go to the File tab.
- Click on the Account option.
- From the Update Options, click on the Update Now option.
Read More: [Fixed] Excel Cannot Open in Protected View
3. Use Control Panel to Repair Microsoft Excel
Changing the settings or updating the application may not always be enough to solve the issue. To fix the bug, you must first repair the application.
⇒ Step 1: Find the Programs
- From the Windows Start Menu, choose the Control Panel application.
- From the Programs menu, click on Uninstall a program.
⇒ Step 2: Select the Application
- Then, click-double the mouse to select the Microsoft 365-en-us.
- Click on the Change tab and select the Repair button from the next window.
Read More: How to Remove Protected View in Excel
4. Add New Location to Place File
The problem might be solved by moving the protected file to a new location. This solution is also applicable to all Microsoft products, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Access.
⇒ Step 1: Go to Excel Option
- Go to Home from the File
- Click on the Options.
⇒ Step 2: Use the Excel Options
- Select the Trust Center option from the left-hand corner list.
- Then, click on the Trust Center Settings.
⇒ Step 3: Enable Trust Location
- Choose the Trust Locations option.
- Click to select the option, “Allow Trusted Locations on my network (not recommended) option.”
- Finally, click on the Add new location option.
⇒ Step 4: Browse a Location
- Finally, click on Browse to select the preferred folder.
Read More: [Solved]: Excel Opening in Protected View Stuck
Download Practice Workbook
Download this practice workbook to exercise while you are reading this article.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you a tutorial about how to solve the problem with an Excel-protected view office has detected a problem. All of these procedures should be learned and applied to your dataset. Take a look at the practice workbook and put these skills to the test. We’re motivated to keep making tutorials like this because of your valuable support.
Please contact us if you have any questions. Also, feel free to leave comments in the section below.
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