Excel cannot open the file 'file.xlsx' because the file format

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. Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension matches the format of the file.

are you double clicking on the file in a folder or are you opening from within excel?

I would suggest that you open it from within excel.

Hi,

Recently I came across this error as well in an excel file that I was maintaining for the last 4 weeks.

I was able to easily fix it by using the "Open and Repair" functionality; you can follow the given steps:
1. Open Excel Application (not file)
2. Click on File > Open
3. Browse and Select the faulty excel file (single click)
4. Click on the Drop down arrow next to the "Open" button
5. Click on "Open and Repair"
Then excel will ask you to repair any corruption or extract data from it.
6. Click on Repair to retrieve maximum data.

This worked out for me perfectly. I hope it works out for you as well.


Best Regards