Excel file corruption is an unexpected problem that causes distress and frustration.
I’m sure we all have been in a situation where we were unable to open an important Excel workbook because of an annoying message stating, “The file is corrupt and cannot be opened”.
Being unable to open a vital Excel file due to corruption can leave you anxious and distressed. But, the situation becomes worse when you are unable to open an important Excel workbook that you need immediately.
Repairing a corrupted Excel file can be tricky as any DIY methods could potentially trigger severe file corruption or permanent data loss. However, there are quick fixes that can help you repair a corrupted Excel file safely in a snap. Let’s read further to understand the reasons behind Excel file corruption and how to fix a corrupted Excel file.
Reasons Behind Excel File Corruption
If you look closely at various user queries on the internet, you will find that there is no single reason behind Excel file corruption. Instead, there are many. Here are some reasons that result in Excel file corruption:
- Unexpected power loss while working on a spreadsheet
- Sudden system or application crash
- Improper file transfer from one device to another
- Bad sectors on the hard drive can corrupt or damage the Excel file
- A malware attack on the system
Methods to Quickly Repair Excel Files
Here are some methods that can help you effortlessly repair corrupt Excel files.
Method 1: Repair Excel File Online
A few days back, I had an important meeting with a client and had to present my report with some data stored in an Excel file. Right before the meeting, I couldn’t open the file as it was corrupted. I got anxious but didn’t lose hope.
A simple search on the internet showed an endless list of online Excel repair tools to repair the corrupted Excel file. It was an overwhelming sight, and thankfully, I managed to find the right website for the job. My corrupted Excel file was repaired in a few moments.
I also tried using some online Excel file repair tool. I observed that these tools are fast, save a lot of time and money, and are easy to use.
Here are some advantages I found while using online Excel repair tools:
- They are easy to use and require no expertise.
- These tools are convenient as they allow users to repair their Excel files without the need for downloading and installing a separate software.
- These tools are fast and take less time to repair corrupted Excel files.
- Many online Excel repair tools are free and require no purchases to be made.
- Online tools offer a quick resolution while keeping the data intact. This ensures accuracy during file repair.
During my research, I deduced that these tools work similarly. There could be a difference in some functionality, but the overall idea of repairing an Excel file is the same. This is how an online Excel repair tool works:
- The user needs to register on the online tool’s website using an email ID. Some tools let you repair Excel files without registration.
- Next, upload the corrupted Excel file online.
- Once you have uploaded the file, the tool will automatically begin to scan the Excel file and repair it accordingly. In some tools, you may have to click on the Repair button to begin repairing the uploaded file.
- After the tool has successfully repaired the corrupted Excel file, it will generate a preview of the repaired file. Some tools offer a limited preview functionality, i:e., they only show a part of the contents of an Excel file.
- Finally, click on Download or Save to save the repaired Excel file to a location of your choice. Some tools use the registered email ID and send a download link of the repaired Excel file on it.
Here are some free tools online that I used. These could help you repair corrupt Excel files without any hassle.
- Excel.Repair
- Aspose Online Repair Tool
- Stellar Online Free Excel Repair Tool
Method 2: Open and Repair
Online tools offer convenience right at your fingertips. However, there are situations where you are not connected to the internet and require an offline way to repair a corrupted Excel file quickly. In that case, you can try the Open and Repair utility. It is a built-in MS Excel utility that helps you repair corrupted or damaged Excel files. Here is what to do –
- Launch MS Excel on your Windows PC.
- Go to File > Open > Browse.
- Navigate to the corrupted Excel file on your PC and select it.
- Next, click on the downward-pointing arrow next to the Open button.
- Select the Open and Repair option.
- A dialog box will appear. Click on Repair to begin repairing the corrupted Excel file.
- Let MS Excel repair the file. Once the process is complete, click Close.
Open and Repair is an effective way to repair files for free. But, it sometimes falters when an Excel file is severely corrupted.
Tips to Prevent Data Loss Due to Excel File Corruption
As we all use Excel to create spreadsheets and reports, the files become vital, and thus, any damage could render them unusable or, worse, result in data loss. Hence, to prevent data loss from Excel file corruption, you can follow the tips mentioned below:
- Enable AutoSave, but don’t solely rely on it.
- Regularly save the Excel file after making changes to it.
- Take a backup of important Excel files on both an External HDD/SSD and cloud storage.
- Use a UPS with your desktop to avoid abrupt shutdowns due to power cuts. In the case of a laptop, keep the AC adapter handy and use it when required.
- Use an antivirus to prevent malware attacks.
Conclusion
Online Excel file repair tools are effective in repairing corrupted or damaged Excel files. They are fast, easy to use, and, most importantly, free. Hence, they stand as the ideal choice for many users, especially students.
In most cases, you should be able to repair a corrupted Excel file online without any hiccups. But, you can also rely on desktop version of an Excel repair tool as they work offline and offer enhanced functionalities that are capable of supporting less common Excel file types like .csv, xltm, and more.
Also Read: How Excel can Help with Personal Finance?
