There may be some instances where your Excel will not respond to opening files. Sometimes, the solutions are very easy but hard to find. This article demonstrates reasons and solutions regarding the issue of why is my excel not opening files.
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8 Reasons and Solutions for Excel Files Not Opening
Sometimes, Excel might not open your files. There may be many reasons behind it. Each of these reasons has different solutions. In the following stages of this article, we will discuss 8 different reasons for Excel not opening files along with the solutions to fix them.
1. Wrong Extension in File Name
Excel might not open files if the extension in the file name is wrong. Generally, files that have an extension such as .xls, .xlsm, .xlsx, etc. are compatible with Excel. Therefore, if you have any other extension like shown in the below screenshot, Excel may not open the file.
Now, to fix this issue, you can follow the below steps.
- First, right-click on the file you want to open.
- Then, select Rename.
- Finally, add the extension i.e. compatible with Microsoft Excel. In this case, we use .xlsx.
Read More: [Fixed!] Excel File Not Opening on Double Click
2. Corrupted Excel Program Preventing Files from Opening
Sometimes your Microsoft Excel might be corrupted, which will eventually result in Excel not opening files. This may happen when someone shares a file from an infected device. Also, using an external device may corrupt your Excel file.
Now, to fix this issue follow the below steps.
- At the very beginning, open your Control Panel.
- Next, go to Programs.
- Then, click on Program and Features.
- After that, select your Microsoft Office.
- At this point, right-click on Microsoft Office.
- Next, select Change.
- Now, click on Repair.
- Eventually, this will fix your issue.
Read More: [Fixed!] Excel File Open but Not Visible
3. Enabled DDE Causing Files Opening Problem in Excel
When you enable Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), it may stop Excel from communicating with other applications. This may result in Excel not responding to open files.
Now, to fix this issue follow the below steps.
- First, go to the File tab.
- Then, go to Options from the bottom left of your screen.
- Now, go to Advanced.
- After that, go to General and disable Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
- Consequently, click OK.
- Finally, this will solve your issue.
4. Troublesome Add-ins Causing Files Opening Problem in Excel
Another reason may be, that you have some problematic add-ins enabled in your excel. Also, sometimes Excel shows errors with normal add-ins.
Now, to fix this issue follow the below steps.
- At the very beginning, go to the File tab.
- Then, go to Options from the bottom left of your screen.
- Next, go to Add-ins.
- Now, from Manage select COM Add-ins.
- Then, click on Go.
- Then, disable all the add-ins.
- After that, click on OK.
- Finally, this will fix your issue.
5. Problematic File Associations Causing Files Opening Problem in Excel
Sometimes, you may have a problematic file association with your Excel file. This will result in your Excel not opening files.
Now, to fix this issue follow the below steps.
- At the very beginning, open your Control Panel.
- Next, go to Programs.
- After that, select Default Programs.
- Next, select Set your default programs.
- Now, scroll to the bottom and click Reset.
- Finally, this will reset all your file associations and fix your issue.
6. Blocked Excel File
Another reason may be that the Excel file is blocked. This may happen when someone shares an Excel file with you.
Now to fix this issue follow the below steps.
- First, go to the file properties.
- Then, from the general tab unblock the file.
7. Outdated Microsoft Office Causing Files Opening Problem in Excel
If you have a very old version of Microsoft Excel, you may not be able to open the files with newer versions. To fix this issue you must install the newer and updated version of Excel.
8. Hardware Graphics Acceleration Causing File Crash in Excel
This is a very rare reason for Excel not opening files. Sometimes Hardware Graphics Acceleration makes your Excel crash. Now, to fix this issue follow the below steps.
- First, go to the File tab.
- Then, click Options.
- Now, from Advanced go to Display and disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration.
- Eventually, this will solve your issue.
💡 Things to Remember
- If any of the above solutions don’t work, you can always contact Microsoft Support.
- Also, you can uninstall Microsoft Office and reinstall it again to fix your issues.
Conclusion
In this article, we discuss 8 possible reasons regarding the issue of why my Excel is not opening files along with their solutions. Last but not the least, I hope you found what you were looking for from this article. If you have any queries, please drop a comment below.
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