Excel files can become corrupted for a variety of causes, including sudden system or program shutdowns, enormous file sizes, malware and virus attacks, and more. Data in an Excel file that has gotten corrupted cannot be accessed. Thus, it is imperative that the file be repaired as quickly as possible. Here, we’ll go over a few practical techniques for recovering all of the data from a corrupted Excel file.
Techniques for Fixing Corrupt Excel Files
Excel initiates the File Recovery mode to automatically repair files when you attempt to open one that is damaged or corrupted. If it doesn’t start, though, you can attempt the methods for recovering and repairing corrupted Excel files indicated below.
Method 1: Bring Back the Excel File’s Previous Saved Version
The most recent version of the Excel file can be quickly restored if you have activated Excel’s Auto-Recover feature, which stores a version of the file automatically. To return to the Excel file’s previously saved version, take the following actions:
• Open the corrupted Excel file if you can get to it.
•Navigate to the File menu, select Info, then Workbook Management.
Select the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” option.
Method 2: Choose Manual for the Calculation Option in Excel
There are instances when formula or function issues prevent you from opening the Excel file. You can switch from automated to manual calculation options in Excel in such a situation. Take the actions listed below:
- Start an empty Excel spreadsheet.
- Select File > Preferences.
- Open the ribbon and select the Formulas tab.
- Select Manual by clicking the Calculations Options dropdown menu. Click.
- Click File now, then choose Open
- Select the corrupted workbook and then try to open it.
Method 3: Use the Backup to Restore the Corrupted Excel File
You can utilize your backup Excel file to recover the corrupted file if you have one. To recover the file from the backup, follow these steps:
• Find the corrupted Excel file’s backup file, duplicate it, and store it somewhere else.
• Rename the file with a different name from the Excel file that was corrupted.
• Click File > Open when your Excel application is open.
• To open the renamed backup file, select it and double-click it.
Method 4: Fix a Corrupt Excel Document
Use Excel’s built-in Open and Repair tool if your file becomes corrupted or if corruption errors appear. Using this utility, you may fix corrupt Excel files. To use this utility, take the following actions:
- Go to File, click Open, then choose the file.
- Click the Excel file (that you wish to repair) in the Open dialog box.
- Select the arrow adjacent to the Open
- Choose Open and Repair from the Open dropdown menu.
- There will be a dialog box shown on screen. Select the Repair option.
Because it can only address small problems, the Open and Repair tool is not always useful, particularly if your Excel file is substantially contaminated. You can utilize a strong third-party Excel repair solution, like Softaken Repair for Excel, if the Open and Repair tool does not work.
Without modifying the original formatting, it can swiftly restore corrupt Excel files (.xls,.xlsx) and recover all the data, including pivot tables, formulae, and other elements. Additionally, it has a “Find” feature for rapidly searching the Excel files for fixes. MS Excel 2021, 2019 and previous versions are supported by the tool.
In summary
a corrupt Excel file can cause a number of different problems. If you’re experiencing problems because of damaged Excel files, you can fix and restore the corrupted Excel files by using the techniques discussed in this article.
If none of the manual techniques work, Softaken Repair for Excel can be used to fix the Excel file and recover all of its data. This software is reliable and capable of fixing several Excel files. All corruption issues, including “Excel cannot open the file filename.xlsx,” “The file is corrupted and cannot be opened,” and “Excel found unreadable content in name.xls,” can be fixed with this tool.
