File Corruption & Recovery

Fix Excel Unreadable VML Drawing Content Error After Update

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Excel displays an 'unreadable content' error targeting a VML drawing part after a recent Microsoft Office update.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a personal workbook in Excel after an Office software update has been installed.
Observed behavior: Excel shows an error stating it must repair or remove unreadable content, specifically 'Removed Part: /xl/drawings/vmlDrawing1.vml part (Drawing shape)'. The issue appears intermittently.

Before you start

Before attempting any repairs or rolling back software versions, make a secure backup copy of your original workbook to ensure no personal data is permanently lost.

Solution 1Recommended

Roll Back to a Previous Version of Office

Since the issue was triggered by a recent update, reverting to an earlier, stable build of Office can temporarily resolve the VML drawing error.

Microsoft Office updates can sometimes introduce bugs that cause Excel to incorrectly flag older VML drawings (such as shapes and comments) as corrupted. Disabling updates and rolling back to a previous version is often the most effective workaround until a patch is released.

Disable Automatic Updates

Open Excel, navigate to File > Account, click on the Update Options button, and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent Office from immediately reinstalling the problematic version.

Revert the Office Installation

Follow Microsoft's official guidance to revert to the earlier version using the Office Deployment Tool, specifying the build number from before November 26, 2024.

Verify the Fix

Restart your computer and open the affected workbook to check if the unreadable content error has been resolved.

Microsoft Support Reference: For detailed command-line instructions, please refer to the official Microsoft Support documentation on how to revert to an earlier version of Office.

Solution 2

Create a Sanitized Copy for Troubleshooting

If you need to share the file with technicians or forums for further analysis, remove your private information to create a safe, sanitized copy.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Bypass Excel Update Errors with WPS Office

Because this VML drawing error is linked to a specific Microsoft Office update bug, opening your file in an alternative suite can often bypass the unreadable content prompt entirely. WPS Office offers a highly compatible, free spreadsheet tool that easily opens .xlsx files without altering your data.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the simple installation prompts.
2. Open Your Corrupted File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet, go to Menu > Open, and select the workbook that was showing the VML drawing error in Microsoft Excel.
3. Save and Continue: Review your shapes, comments, and data. Once confirmed intact, save the file and continue working without interruptions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats and drawing objects.Bypass MS Office-specific update bugs and strict XML validation errors seamlessly.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface for immediate productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a VML drawing represent in an Excel file?

VML (Vector Markup Language) drawings in Excel usually represent legacy visual elements, such as cell comments, form controls (like buttons or checkboxes), and certain legacy shapes. When this part is removed, those specific visual elements may disappear from the worksheet.

Why did this error start happening only after an Office update?

Microsoft frequently updates Office to patch security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Sometimes, these updates introduce stricter XML parsing rules or unforeseen bugs, causing perfectly normal VML code to be flagged as 'unreadable content'.

Will I lose data if I click 'Yes' to let Excel repair the file?

Clicking 'Yes' allows Excel to salvage the textual data and formulas in the workbook. However, Excel will completely delete the 'vmlDrawing1.vml' part, meaning you will likely lose your comments, shapes, or form controls associated with that specific drawing file.

Document & File Issues