Get rid of "The file is corrupt and cannot be opened" in Excel

Quick tip: learn how to access a corrupt xls. file in Excel

Usually when upgrading you expect nothing but improvements. So it can be really disappointing when after moving to Excel 2010 you have no chance to access your .xls file created in the application version 2003 and earlier. You understand what I'm talking about if you ever encountered "The file is corrupt and cannot be opened" error in Excel 2010 and later. Still think you can't open it? Actually you can!
Excel message: The file is corrupt and cannot be opened in Excel 2010

How to open a corrupt xls. file in Excel 2010 - 365

Try the following steps to see how your precious .xls data appear in Excel 2010 and later:

  1. Open Excel.
  2. Click on File -> Options.
  3. Select Trust Center and press the Trust center settings button.
    Excel: Trust center settings
  4. Pick Protected view.
    Trust center - Protected view
  5. Uncheck all the options under Protected View and confirm by pressing OK.
  6. Restart Excel and try to open the broken Excel documents.

Note. For safety reasons, you should save your document with new Office format like .xlsx. You can do it this way: File > Options -> Trust Center -> Trust Center settings -> Protected View.
Check all the options again under Protected View, click OK and restart Excel.

This will set the security options back. Sure, you don't want to open any file unsafely.

That's it. Hope it will work for you and your documents :).

Thanks and see you!

Table of contents

390 comments

  1. Great it worked for me
    Thanks

  2. Thanks...Much appreciated!

  3. YAY!!!! Thank you so much!!

  4. "excel file not open because file format or file extension is not valid verify that file has not been corrupted and file extension match the format of file"

  5. THANKS!! YOU SAVE ME!!!!

  6. THANKS!! YOU SAVE ME!!!!

  7. nice man

  8. It fixed but setting does not retain after system restart.

  9. Its working Thanks lot

  10. Yay! Thanks!

  11. Thanks a Lot, Now its working.

  12. Thanks a lot for your solution

  13. excel sheet not open showing this error
    "excel file not open because file format or file extension is not valid verify that file has not been corrupted and file extension match the format of file"

    • yeah .. on me too :(

  14. Hi sir,my excel file delete after that i use one recovery software fianlly find that excel sheet.when i open that excel sheet the file format and extension of don't match excel. the file could be corrupted or unsafe.please hlp me how to fix

  15. "Thank u so much for this info.my issue is resolved."

  16. Thanks man u r such a genius... was facing problem.long time finally it works ...thnk u so much

  17. Thanks!

  18. Worked like a charm...Thanks a ton...!!!!

  19. Thanks.Its working fine

  20. Hi,
    I have a file that has the same message when opened in excel 2007 "The file is corrupt and can not be opened". But I still open it in excel 2010.

    Please help!

Post a comment



Thank you for your comment!
When posting a question, please be very clear and concise. This will help us provide a quick and relevant solution to
your query. We cannot guarantee that we will answer every question, but we'll do our best :)