File Cannot Open

Fix Excel Cannot Open a File Beginning with ~$: Temporary Lock File Error

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is trying to open an Excel file whose name starts with ~$ and receives an error that the format or extension is invalid.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open an Excel file directly from a local folder, shared network drive, or cloud storage directory.
Observed behavior: Excel fails to open the file and displays an invalid format or extension error, because the selected file is a temporary owner lock file, not the actual spreadsheet data.

Before you start

Ensure you have 'Show hidden files' enabled in your operating system's file explorer so you can distinguish between hidden system lock files and your actual Excel workbooks.

Solution 1Recommended

Open the Original Workbook Instead of the Lock File

Bypass the ~$ file and locate the actual .xlsx or .xls file to access your data.

A filename beginning with ~$ indicates a temporary owner or lock file created by Excel to manage read/write access. It does not contain any of your spreadsheet data. You must open the original file instead.

Identify the actual file name

Look at the name of the file you are trying to open. If it is named `~$MyReport.xlsx`, the actual workbook is named `MyReport.xlsx`.

Locate the original file

Browse the same folder or directory for the file without the `~$` prefix.

Open the workbook

Double-click the normal workbook file to open it in Excel safely.

Important Note on Lock Files: Do not delete or modify the ~$ file while the actual workbook is open, as this file prevents conflicting edits from other users.

Solution 2

Recover the Workbook if the Original is Missing

If you can only see the ~$ file and the original workbook is missing, try recovering it through Excel's built-in features or cloud backups.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a file that starts with ~$ in Excel?

A file beginning with ~$ is a hidden temporary lock file (or owner file) created by Excel when a workbook is opened. It stores the login name of the person editing the file to prevent other users from making conflicting changes.

Can I safely delete the ~$ temporary lock file?

If the corresponding Excel workbook is currently open, you should not delete the lock file. However, if the workbook is fully closed and the lock file remains behind (usually due to a software crash), it is safe to delete it.

How do I recover my data from a ~$ file?

You cannot recover spreadsheet data directly from a ~$ file because it is typically less than 1KB in size and only contains locking metadata, not your actual content. You must find the original workbook or use AutoRecover to restore your data.

Why can I suddenly see these temporary lock files in my folder?

Lock files are marked as hidden system files by default. You can see them because your computer's folder view settings have been changed to 'Show hidden files, folders, and drives'.

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