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.

You get an error message in Microsoft Excel stating it can't access a file? Make sure the external link inserted in the workbook is still 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The 'Excel Cannot Open the File' error usually occurs when attempting to open an older Excel file with a newer version of the software.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 ...

2. Select Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbook . Excel file recovery options 3. From the list of files displayed, open the inaccessible file and save it. Solution 7: Open MS Excel in Safe Mode ...

If you cannot open an Excel file and see Excel cannot open the file because the file format or extension is not valid error, see this post.

If you’re getting Cannot be accessed the file may be corrupted error, perhaps you’re using a 32-bit version of Office on a 64-bit version of Windows. This can sometimes be a problem, therefore we ...

By disabling them by default, Microsoft will close a pathway often used in phishing and other malware delivery that exploits indirect access to risky file types.

Microsoft has announced that it will start disabling external workbook links to blocked file types by default between October 2025 and July 2026.