I cannot re-open an xcel file

John Scott 20 Reputation points
2025-01-21T03:28:09.48+00:00

My xcel file won't reopen. I used Hide for 3 columns then closed the file. Now I can't re-open the file.

Excel
Excel
A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
2,175 questions
Excel Management
Excel Management
Excel: A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
1,794 questions
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Accepted answer
  1. Emi Zhang-MSFT 28,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2025-01-21T08:37:28.5666667+00:00

    Hi,

    Did you get any error message when you try to re-open the file?

    Where did save the file?

    What kind of file format did you use?

    How did you open the file?

    Here are some possible solutions:

    1. Right click the file- select Properties- select General tab, please check if the file is locked, you can select Unlock option to unlock the file.
    2. Make sure that there are no errors in the file path and name.
    3. Hold down the Ctrl key, then double-click the Excel icon to launch Excel's safe mode. Then try to open your file.
    4. You can also try to repair Excel Workbook, in Excel, click File > Open, select your file, then click the Open arrow next to the button, select Open & Repair.

    Please provide more information about your problem and I'm glad to help you.


    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.


1 additional answer

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  1. Damian 0 Reputation points
    2025-01-28T10:12:52.9766667+00:00

    Hey John,

    Try to open the file in safe mode, or restore it from backup; this can help you reopen the file.


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