Problems with opening an excel file - "unable to read file" error

**swirlingtaboo** · 03-06-2010, 03:42 AM

I have been working on this file forever and for some reason when I try to open it, it says that it cannot be read. This is data related to my thesis and I really, really need to recover it. Can anybody help??? The file has been attached. I am using Office 2004. I tried uploading it here but it failed. It's kind of big- 4.4 mbs. It will open using Word and I can even preview it correctly, but I really need it in excel format because it will take me forever to transfer the data and get it in the right format.
Thanks in advance...,

Weary Grad Student

**royUK** · 03-06-2010, 04:16 AM

You also want to careful posting email addresses in open forums, unless you enjoy spam

**martindwilson** · 03-06-2010, 05:59 AM

try opening it with open office or google docs

**swirlingtaboo** · 03-07-2010, 11:41 PM

Thanks, open office fixed it.

**richardfuller7** · 06-16-2014, 02:59 PM

I think this is a data encryption issue.
Wait... wait... before you say you don't have encryption on your PC, check the properties of the Excel file.

MANY new PCs are shipping with Bit Locker or Credant -> shipped on-the-box in a "Turned On" status.
It may be working in the background and you don't know about it.

Files are decrypted when opened by an authorized user, such as the owner of the box. Therefore, closed files, such as the linked spreadsheets, remain encrypted and unreadable ("Unable to Read").

I have the same problem so I have to open all the linked spreadsheets first.