Excel files are a great tool for organizing and analyzing data. However, when the data becomes corrupted, the file can become unusable. Data corruption can occur for a variety of reasons, including hardware failure, software malfunctions, and power outages. In some cases, the data may be lost completely, making the file unrecoverable. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to repair Excel files and restore your data. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the methods you can use to repair an Excel file and retrieve your data. From basic checks to advanced software solutions, this post will provide you with all the knowledge and resources you need to recover your valuable data.
- Click File > Open.
- Click the location and folder that contains the corrupted workbook.
- In the Open dialog box, select the corrupted workbook.
- Click the arrow next to the Open button, and then click Open and Repair.
- To recover as much of the workbook data as possible, pick Repair.
How to repair an Excel file manually
When you attempt to open a corrupted spreadsheet, Excel launches a mode referred to as “File Recovery.” This means that Excel tries to open and repair it. For corrupted files, Excel frequently is unable to launch this mode; therefore, you can manually fix them. Here are the steps for manually fixing an Excel file:
When is it important to repair an Excel file?
An Excel file needs to be repaired so you can access all of its data in case something goes wrong. For instance, improper shut-down procedures by a user could result in file corruption. A user might also require Excel file repair for the following factors:
How to repair an Excel file by changing the calculation option
Here is a list of steps to fix your Excel file if it won’t open by altering the calculation option:
How to repair an Excel file by creating external references
By creating external references, you can only recover the data from a spreadsheet if you don’t need its values or formulas. The following steps will show you how to fix an Excel file by adding references to it from outside sources:
How to repair an Excel file by reverting an open worksheet to a previous version
Here are the steps for fixing an Excel file by switching to an earlier version of an open workbook:
How to repair an Excel file by saving an open worksheet in symbolic link format
It’s possible to fix corrupted elements by saving a worksheet in symbolic link format after you’ve already opened it. The steps to fix an Excel file by saving an open worksheet in SYLK format are as follows:
Are there alternatives to the above recovery options for Excel files?
You might not need to try the aforementioned recovery options if you’re encountering a disk or network error. If you’re having problems with your current disk drive, moving your Excel file to a new one can be helpful. If the network isn’t functioning properly, you might instead gain from moving your Excel file from its current network to a local drive.
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How to Recover and Repair Corrupted Excel File
FAQ
How do I open and repair an Excel File?
On the File tab, click Open. Click Browse after selecting the location of the spreadsheet in Excel 2013 or Excel 2016. Choose the corrupted workbook you want to open in the Open dialog box. To open and repair, click the button after clicking the arrow next to the open button.
Why is my Excel File damaged?
Excel files can become corrupted if they were not saved correctly, which could have happened if you did not close the program completely or if it shut down suddenly due to a hardware malfunction, a power outage, a virus, or malware attack.
Can Excel File be restored?
To recover your never-before-saved file in the first scenario mentioned above, open Microsoft Excel first. then select Open from the File tab on your Ribbon. Recover Unsaved Workbooks can be accessed by clicking Recent, then scrolling to the bottom of the page (see the screenshot below).
