Can't open Excel files

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can't open Excel files

I have a MacBook Pro running Sierra v10.12.6. I also have Excel 2011 for Mac installed.

I cannot open any Excel file whether it was created on Mac or PC.

It opens in Numbers then I have to save it as an Excel file. That doesn't seem right to me. When I try to open it I get a window for every Excel file on my computer with a message that it can't be opened. Once I close them all I have to open it with Number then save the file as an Excel file.

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Oct 27, 2017 9:59 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Oct 28, 2017 6:57 PM in response to RCTekkie

Select an Excel file in Finder and Get Info (cmd-i)

Set it to open with Excel and click the button to change all.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,227 points

Oct 28, 2017 2:32 PM in response to RCTekkie

Try an uninstall/reinstall.

Office 2011 Removal

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Answer 3

9051jo

Level 2

269 points

Oct 29, 2017 1:44 PM in response to RCTekkie

Ok. Thanks for that screen shot! I have a couple questions.

1. You say you have Excel 2011 but the icon in that photo is the more recent version. Is it possible you have two versions of excel on your computer and you want to open in 2011 but are opening in the more recent version?

2. What version of excel was the file created on?

3.Can you open Excel (without clicking on a file), create a new spreadsheet, save it, quit excel, then try to open the file? Does the message still appear?

4.When did this first start happening?

5.Highlight an excel file and press CMD+I. Screenshot the open with section. If you do not see an open with section click the triangle (see image below)

Thanks,

Josh

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Oct 29, 2017 5:33 AM in response to RCTekkie

If it is opened with Numbers, then it will convert the file. That's not abnormal. It won't alter the original file, though. You will have a copy in Numbers.

Can you right-click on the file and choose Open With Excel?

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Answer 5

RCTekkie Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 28, 2017 9:12 PM in response to Barney-15E

Unfortunately, this did not work but thanks for trying.

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Answer 6

RCTekkie Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 28, 2017 9:17 PM in response to 9051jo

Prior to this message I get a window that says: converting file. It closes too fast for me to get a screenshot. Once I click on OK a blank Excel file opens.

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Answer 7

RCTekkie Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 29, 2017 10:55 PM in response to 9051jo

I tried making the default program for xlsx files Excel.

Some of the files were created. Score I got my MacBook. Those were created in Excel 2010 for PC. The rest were created in Excel 2011 for Mac.

You may be on to something though with the version number. I had tried to look at that but Microsoft only gives you a version number that doesn't indicate the common version name. I've used PCs enough to be able to match the version number to the. version name.

The version of Excel on my computer is 15.37 (170815).

I'm going to check out what that version actually is

Thanks. Your reply has sparked some ideas for me. Will get back to you soon.

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Answer 8

9051jo

Level 2

269 points

Oct 28, 2017 3:40 PM in response to RCTekkie

Can you please post a screenshot of the message that appears?

How to take a screenshot on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 9

RCTekkie Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 29, 2017 10:36 PM in response to Barney-15E

Hi. I have tried that and the result is the same. A window saying that the file is being converted opens very briefly, followed by a window saying the file could not be converted.

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