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How to Open and Repair a Corrupted Excel File in Microsoft 365
Question details
The user needs to locate and utilize the built-in repair option to recover a damaged Excel workbook.
- Product
- Excel for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open a corrupted or damaged Excel workbook that fails to load under normal circumstances.
- Observed behavior
- The Open and Repair option is not immediately visible in the standard Open menu, making it difficult to initiate the file recovery process.
Before attempting to repair the file, make a complete copy of the corrupted Excel workbook and save it in a different folder. This ensures you have an untouched backup in case the repair process alters or further damages the data.
Use the Built-in Open and Repair Tool via the Browse Dialog
Access the classic Open dialog box to reveal the hidden Open and Repair option for damaged workbooks.
In Microsoft 365, the default Open screen does not display advanced file recovery options. You must access the traditional Windows file explorer dialog to find the repair tool.
Open Excel for Microsoft 365. Click on 'File' in the top ribbon, select 'Open' from the left sidebar, and then click on 'Browse' to launch the classic Open dialog box.
In the Open dialog box, navigate to the folder containing your damaged workbook and click on the file to highlight it.
Instead of clicking the main 'Open' button, click the small downward-pointing arrow right next to it in the lower-right corner. From the drop-down menu, select 'Open and Repair'.
Open and Recover Spreadsheets Easily with WPS Office
If Microsoft 365 is unable to repair your corrupted Excel file, trying a different spreadsheet processor can often bypass the corruption. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that can automatically recover and open damaged files that other programs cannot.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch the WPS Spreadsheets application on your device.
- 3. Open the damaged file: Go to Menu > Open, navigate to your corrupted Excel file, and open it. WPS Office's independent rendering engine will attempt to bypass the corruption and display your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Open and Repair option missing in my Excel menu?
The Open and Repair option is not available in the modern 'Recent' or basic 'Open' screens in Microsoft 365. You must click 'Browse' to open the classic Windows file explorer dialog box. The option is hidden in the drop-down menu attached to the Open button in the bottom-right corner.
What is the difference between Repair and Extract Data?
When you select Open and Repair, Excel gives you two options. 'Repair' attempts to recover as much of your formatting and formulas as possible. If 'Repair' fails, you can try again using 'Extract Data', which sacrifices formulas and formatting to simply recover the raw values and text from the corrupted file.
Can I use Open and Repair on files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint?
Yes, but it is highly recommended to first download a local copy of the corrupted file to your computer's hard drive. Then, use the Browse option in Excel to locate the local copy and run the Open and Repair tool.
