[Resolved] The file is corrupted and cannot be opened in Excel/Word

Here are four effective methods to address the issue "The file is corrupted and cannot be opened" in Microsoft. You can quickly scan through and directly proceed to the solution that interests you the most:

Translation into English:

Regarding "The file is corrupt and cannot be opened" in Microsoft Excel or Word

The error message "the file is corrupted and cannot be opened" typically appears when users attempt to open an Office file that was created in an older version using a newer version of Microsoft Office. For instance, this issue might arise when you try to open a file created in Excel 2013, 2010, 2007, or earlier with Excel 2016, or when you attempt to open a file created in Word 2007 or earlier with Word 2013. Numerous users have encountered this problem after upgrading their Microsoft Office applications and have sought assistance online. Interestingly, this error can also surface even after reinstalling Microsoft Office. Why does this issue occur? The primary causes of "the file is corrupted and cannot be opened" in Microsoft Excel or Office are:

• Changes to Microsoft Office settings after upgrading or reinstalling
• Protecting your computer from files originating from another computer
• A corrupted Excel or Word file

4 Solutions for "The file is corrupt and cannot be opened" in Excel/Word

As you can deduce from the aforementioned causes, the error message 'the file is corrupted and cannot be opened' does not always imply that your file is genuinely damaged or corrupted. Quite often, the issue arises due to configuration issues with the newer versions of the Microsoft Office application, rendering the files inaccessible. There are indeed effective solutions to address the "file is corrupted and cannot be opened" error in Microsoft Office.

Method 1: Repair Excel/Word File using Third-Party Software

When the file is corrupted, altering computer settings won't resolve the error message "the file is corrupt and cannot be opened." To effectively access your file, you'll need to employ third-party file repair software to repair the corrupted Excel files or Word documents. The Fixo Document Repair tool specifically repairs damaged Word .doc and .docx files, recovering the entire file content.

We offer a video tutorial on how to swiftly repair damaged files using Fixo Document Repair tool; check it out!

1. 00:14 Method 1. Insert into a new Word document
2. 00:38 Method 2. Use Open and Repair
3. 00:55 Method 3. Default settings
4. 01:30 Method 4. Tools - Fixo Document Repair

Follow the steps below to fix Excel files:

Step 1. Download and install Fixo on your desktop or laptop computer. Select "File Repair" to mend corrupted Office files, which includes Word, Excel, PDF, and other formats. Click "Add Files" to choose the damaged documents.

Step 2. To repair multiple files simultaneously, click the "Repair All" button. If you wish to repair a single document, hover your pointer over the target file and select "Repair." You can also preview the documents by clicking the eye icon.

Step 3. Click "Save" to save the selected document. Choose "Save All" to save all the repaired files. Select "View Repaired" to locate the repaired folder.

Method 2: Disable Protected View Options

Numerous users have reported that this method resolved the error. However, disabling "Protected View" can potentially be harmful to your computer system, as it leaves your computer vulnerable to potential security threats. Therefore, we strongly advise saving the file under a different name once you are able to access it, and then re-enabling "Protected View" for added security.

Step 1. Open Microsoft Excel/Word and navigate to File > Options.

Step 2. Navigate to "Trust Center" > "Trust Center Settings...".

Step 3. Navigate to "Protected View" and uncheck all the boxes. Click "OK".

Step 4. Restart Microsoft Excel/Word.

Now, try opening your file again and see if the error message "the file is corrupt and cannot be opened" still appears.

Method 3: Unlock the File

When encountering an error message like "the file is corrupt and cannot be opened" while attempting to open certain Excel or Word documents on your computer, you can try this quick solution to resolve the issue.

Step 1. Locate the file you're having trouble opening and right-click on it.

Step 2. Select "Properties."

Step 3. Under the General tab, check the box next to "Unlock".

Step 4. Click "Apply" > "OK".

Method 4: Adjust Component Services Settings

By adjusting the component services, you are modifying your Windows Registry. Proceed with caution and exercise prudence.

Step 1. Click "Start" and type dcom in the search field.

Step 2. Right-click "Component Services" and select "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Expand "Component Services" > "Computers" > "My Computer".

Step 4. Right-click "My Computer" and select "Properties".

Step 5. Navigate to the "Default Properties" tab. Next, set the "Default Authentication Level" to "Connect" and the "Default Impersonation Level" to "Identify".

Step 6. Click "Apply" then "OK".

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How to Retrieve Missing Excel/Word Documents

The Data Recovery Wizard tool will assist you in recovering lost Microsoft Office files due to accidental deletion, formatting, or other reasons. Have you ever experienced losing crucial Excel, Word, or PowerPoint files on your computer or external storage devices? If that's the case, utilize the Data Recovery Wizard tool, and you can easily reclaim your files with just a few simple clicks.

2. How can I open a corrupted file? To open a corrupted file, you can try the following steps: 1. **Retry Opening**: Sometimes, the issue might be temporary. Simply try opening the file again after a short while. 2. **Use a Different Program**: If the file is associated with a specific application, try opening it with another program that supports the same file type. 3. **Recover Data**: Some software offers a recovery feature or third-party tools can help restore corrupted files. For example, for Office documents, use the built-in "Open and Repair" feature in Microsoft Word. 4. **Check for Viruses/Malware**: Scan the file with an updated antivirus program to ensure it's not infected. Malware can cause corruption. 5. **File Repair Tools**: Use operating system-specific file repair utilities like `sfc /scannow` in Windows or `fsck` in Unix-based systems. 6. **Backup Copy**: If you have a recent backup of the file, replace the corrupted one with the backup copy. 7. **Online Repair Services**: In more severe cases, consider professional data recovery services or online tools designed to fix corrupted files. Remember that there's no guarantee of success when dealing with corrupted files. Always prioritize regular backups to minimize potential data loss.

To open a document following a file corruption error:

Step 1: Click on 'File' then 'Open,' followed by 'Browse.' Navigate to the location or folder where the document (for Word), workbook (for Excel), or presentation (for PowerPoint) is saved. Step 2: Select the desired file, then click on the downward arrow next to 'Open' and choose 'Open and Repair.'

3. How do I repair a corrupted Excel file?

Step 1: Locate the temporary file folder on your PC and search for the Excel temp files with the TMP extension.

For Windows 8/10 users: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

For Windows 7 users: C:\Users\name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\

Step 2: Locate and identify the temporary Excel files that begin with "$" or "~" and end with ".TMP".

Step 3: Copy these files and save them in another secure location by altering the file extension from .TMP to .XLS/.XLSX.

底线

As long as your files aren't genuinely corrupted, you can easily resolve the error "the file is corrupt and cannot be opened" in Excel or Word by adjusting your computer settings. However, if the file is indeed corrupted and you don't have a backup, the only way to regain access to its content is by using professional repair software. Hence, I emphasize the significance of data backup. Whether you opt for manual file copying or utilize free backup software, it's crucial to regularly back up your valuable files to prevent complete data loss.