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Fix Excel Cannot Open Japanese Files by Double-Clicking
Question details
The user is unable to open Japanese-created Excel files by double-clicking them on an English Windows system.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Excel
- Device & OS
- English Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open localized Japanese Excel spreadsheets by double-clicking them in Windows File Explorer.
- Observed behavior
- The files fail to open upon double-clicking, despite reinstalling Office and installing the Japanese language pack. However, they open correctly on Japanese systems and iOS devices.
Ensure your Windows operating system and Microsoft Excel are fully updated. We also recommend copying the affected files to a safe backup location before testing different opening methods.
Use the Excel 'File > Open' Menu Method
Bypass the Windows Explorer double-click association issue by opening the file directly from within the Microsoft Excel application.
In many cases, the double-click failure is caused by a communication breakdown between the Windows shell and the Excel executable when handling specific foreign-language encodings. Opening the file internally often bypasses this bug completely.
Open the Microsoft Excel desktop application manually from your Windows Start menu.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Open' from the left-hand sidebar.
Click on 'Browse', navigate to the local folder containing your Japanese-created Excel file, select it, and click the 'Open' button.
Open the File via Excel for the Web
Use OneDrive and Excel for the Web to bypass local Windows OS and desktop application limitations.
Open a Service Request with Microsoft 365 Support
Escalate the issue to Microsoft Support if a permanent fix is needed across your organization's devices.
Try WPS Office to Seamlessly Open Foreign Language Excel Files
If Microsoft Excel struggles with language-specific files and Windows shell conflicts, WPS Spreadsheet offers a lightweight and highly compatible alternative. It natively supports multi-language documents and ensures your spreadsheets open smoothly without complex configurations.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your English Windows system.
- 2. Locate the File: Find the Japanese-created Excel file that fails to open via double-click in Microsoft Excel.
- 3. Open with WPS Spreadsheet: Right-click the file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Spreadsheets to view your data instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does double-clicking fail but opening through the Excel menu works?
Double-clicking relies on the Windows File Explorer shell association and system locale settings, which can sometimes conflict with foreign language encodings. Opening directly via Excel's 'File > Open' menu bypasses the Windows shell process, allowing the application to read the file directly.
Will changing my Windows system locale to Japanese fix this?
While changing the system locale for non-Unicode programs to Japanese might resolve the double-click issue for these specific files, it can negatively impact how your English Windows system displays other local applications and files. It is generally not recommended as a first step.
Is it necessary to install the Japanese language pack in Office?
Installing the Japanese language pack allows you to use Japanese proofing tools and interface options, but testing shows it typically does not resolve the specific Windows Explorer double-click bug for Excel files.
