File Cannot Open

Fix Blank Excel Window When Opening Password-Protected XLSM Files

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

Password-protected XLSM workbooks are opening as completely blank windows in Excel without displaying any error messages.

Fix Blank Excel Windows When Opening Password-Protected XLSM Files

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open macro-enabled, password-protected workbooks (XLSM) in Microsoft Excel.
Observed behavior: The Excel application launches, but the window remains entirely blank instead of displaying the spreadsheet content. Reinstalling Office or disabling macros does not resolve the issue, though closing the blank window triggers a save prompt.

Before you start

Make a backup copy of your original XLSM files before attempting any troubleshooting steps to prevent accidental data loss during recovery.

Solution 1Recommended

Open Excel in Safe Mode

Running Excel in Safe Mode bypasses add-ins and startup settings that might conflict with your macro-enabled workbooks.

Sometimes background add-ins or corrupted customized settings prevent Excel from rendering the workbook correctly. Safe Mode helps isolate whether the issue stems from the file itself or the Excel environment.

Launch the Run dialog

Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Enter the Safe Mode command

Type 'excel /safe' into the text box and press Enter or click OK.

Open the XLSM file

Once Excel opens in Safe Mode, navigate to File > Open and browse to select your password-protected XLSM file to see if it loads properly.

Macro Security: Macros are automatically disabled in Safe Mode. If the file opens successfully, the issue is likely related to an add-in or a damaged VBA script.

Solution 2

Verify File Integrity and Restore from Backup

Determine if the issue is caused by file corruption and restore your data using a healthy backup.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try Opening Your XLSM Files in WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel fails to load your password-protected XLSM files due to complex macro security or minor structural damage, try using WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative that can often open workbooks struggling with Microsoft's strict settings.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and complete the installation process.
2. Launch WPS Spreadsheets: Open the WPS Spreadsheets application on your device.
3. Open the XLSM File: Click on Menu > Open, and select your password-protected XLSM file to attempt data access.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel formats including XLSM and XLSXFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft OfficeFamiliar user interface for seamless and quick migrationRobust spreadsheet rendering engine that can bypass certain MS Office errors

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my password-protected XLSM file open completely blank in Excel?

This usually indicates file corruption, incompatibility with recent Excel security updates, or damaged VBA project components that fail to initialize correctly when the file is password-protected.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the blank window issue?

In most cases involving specific XLSM files, reinstalling Office will not resolve the issue. The problem is typically localized to the file's macro structure or a security block, rather than the software installation itself.

How can I recover my data if the XLSM file is permanently blank?

Try opening the file in Excel's Safe Mode, testing it on a different updated computer, or using an alternative spreadsheet software like WPS Office. If these methods fail, you will need to reconstruct the file from a previously saved backup.

Document & File Issues