Why is my excel file deleting color after mandatory restarts after Windows 11 install?

Question

I have the 2016.018324.20092 version of excel. I created a large file (764 lines) of data to illustrate a data entry problem. I highlighted about one-third of the lines and cells in colors to match up to the type of problem. I saved the file. Windows 11 was recently installed and I have had three mandatory restarts. After each one, the color vanishes from my excel file. Tedious to redo and have it vanish again. Cause? Solutions?

Answer 1

Hi @Chornyak, Cindy (she/her)

I am glad that you find the root cause. And thanks for your sharing here.

By the way, since the Microsoft Q&A community has a policy that "The question author cannot accept their own answer. They can only accept answers by others.", and according to the scenario introduced here: Answering your own questions on Microsoft Q&A, I would make a brief summary of this thread:

Issue Symptom:

Excel file deleting color after mandatory restarts after Windows 11 install.

Current Status:

Solved via Chornyak, Cindy (she/her).

Because CSV files are plain text files, they do not contain any information about format nor data struct. So, we need to save Excel files to .xlsx format to save formats.

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Answer 2

Hi @Chornyak, Cindy (she/her)

Does this issue on this file occur with other computers?

Besides, does this issue occur with other Excel workbooks on your computer?

• It's possible that the Excel file itself may have encountered corruption, causing it to fail to save formatting after a restart.
• I suggest you use the Move or Copy Sheet command to copy entire worksheets to other locations in a different workbook for a check.

How did you highlight the cells, via Condition Formatting or just formatting settings?

Are you using any add-ins?

• If so, they could be interfering with the saving of formatting or the way the file is being opened and saved.
• You may go to Excel, click File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins, click "Go", clear the check boxes for any enabled COM add-ins, select OK.

In addition, please check the Office information via going to Excel, click File > Account, check the Office name, update channel.

Please also check the Windows version, you could press Win+R to open Run dialog, and then enter "winver" to get the Windows system information.

• If it is Windows 11 24H2, you may try 23H2 to check this issue.

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