[Solved] 11 Solutions Fix Microsoft Excel Won’t Open Issue

This article published onMiniTool official weboffers you 11 ways to solve your Excel files wont open at all problem.

Most of these solutions come from Microsofts official page, and some of them are tested to be useful.

Just try them one by one and find your fix.

If so, how to fix it?

Or, are you looking for solutions for the problem?

Read the following contents and find the right method for you.

Why Wont Excel Open?

The excel file wont open issue happens more often since Excel gotsecurity updates.

Those security updates include KB3115262, KB3115322, and KB3170008.

For example, the way for Excel to open XLA or HTML files with.xls extensionis changed.

Moreover, Excel even wont warn you about the failure.

How to Solve Excel Wont Open Problem?

No, where there is a problem, there is a solution.

Several easy fixes can deal with your issue and enable you to open those files again.

What is the get genuine Office message?

How to remove the get genuine Office warning?

Why does the get genuine Office banner show and its potential damages?

Solution 1.

Maybe you should further choose Workbook after selecting Open to solve the problem.

Solution 2.

This may refresh the Excel page and push hidden data showing up.

Solution 3.

The function of the DDE is to send a message to Excel once you double-click a file.

Thus, Excel instructs to fire up the file.

By ignoring those applications, Excel wont receive their messages, so,Excel cannot initiate the files.

Therefore, wrap up the ignoring feature will fixExcel cant openproblem.

Step 1. initiate the Excel program by creating a new Excel file.

In the new Excel file, navigate toFile > Options > Advanced > General.

Uncheck the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).

Solution 4.

OpenWindows Control Panelby searching it in Taskbar.

In Control Panel, go toPrograms > Default Programs.

Under Default Programs, clickSet your default Programs.

Then, it will open theDefault appsscreen in Windows parameters.

There, scroll down and clickSet defaults by app.

On the next screen, hit Excel in the app list and clickManageunder Excel.

Or, you might simply change the default open app of the target file byright-clickingon it and selectOpen with.

Then, in the app list, find and chooseExcel.

Finally, check Always use this app to open .xlsx files (for instance) and clickOK.

Solution 5.

In Control Panel, under Programs, clickUninstall Programs.

In the next window, right-press Microsoft Office and selectChange.

In the pop-up window, selectOnline Repairand clickRepairbutton.

Wait until the repair finishes.

Then, start your PC.

Solution 6.

Solution 7.

Disable Add-ins

Someadd-inswill result in Excel wont open a file, such as Excel add-in and COM add-in.

So, turn off these add-ins is also a way to fix the problem.

Launch the new Excel file and move toFile > Options > Add-ins.

Click to show the drop-down menu of theMangein the Add-in tab.

Then, chooseCOM Add-insand clickGo.

In the pop-up box, uncheck one of the checked add-ins in the list and clickOK.

Double-grab the target file to see whether you might open it or not.

Once you find the culprit, keep it unchecked until there is an update for the add-in.

Solution 8.

Therefore, disable it might fix the issue.

Open a new Excel file and navigate toFile > Options > Advanced.

Under the Display tab, tick Disable hardware graphics acceleration box.

ClickOKto save the changes.

Solution 9.

Check for Hidden Sheets

Step 1.

Open a new Excel file.

Switch to theViewtab and selectUnhide.

In the pop-up box, pick the target file and clickOK.

How to deal with such an issue?

Simply, just kick off the file with its compatible app!

Also read:Excel supported file types on different mobile devices »

Solution 11.

How to Deal with Excel Wont Open Situation?

Yet, there are still some other actions you should do.

Thus, youll need a professional and powerful data backup software such asMiniTool ShadowMaker.