Solution 7: Open MS Excel in Safe Mode Solving the “ Excel cannot open because the file format is not valid ” problem can sometimes be as simple as booting your computer into Safe Mode . This is ...

Every now and then, when I try opening an Excel file, I get a message saying that "Excel cannot open the file 'file.xlsx' because the file format or the file extension is not valid.

The ‘Excel Cannot Open the File’ error usually occurs when attempting to open an older Excel file with a newer version of the software. This problem frequently arises if the file has been renamed with ...

To fix the Excel file format does not match extension error, trying opening the spreadsheet with the Open and Repair option or changing its file extension.

1. Change the Extension Manually When the file extension doesn’t match the format, changing it manually helps Excel read the file correctly. Adjusting the extension (e.g., from .txt to .xlsx) aligns ...

With the Excel extension is not valid error, try starting the app in Safe Mode, repair the workbook or open the file in another program.

If you receive Microsoft Excel cannot access the file, There are several possible reasons error message you can use the following suggestions to resolve the issue.