Unfortunately, Excel files can sometimes become corrupted, it can jeopardize critical work and lead to significant frustration.
Fortunately, there are several methods available to recover damaged Excel files, ranging from built-in Microsoft features to specialized third-party software. This article outlines key approaches to repairing Excel files, with particular attention to one of the most powerful solutions available today: A third part application called Stellar Repair for Excel.
1. Restore via Version History
If your Excel files are stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, the platform’s version history feature can often help you recover an earlier, functional version of your file.
Navigate to the file on File Explorer, then right click it, select Version history, and review the list of previously saved versions. With AutoSave enabled on your Excel file, OneDrive or SharePoint automatically saves snapshots over time, providing an excellent safety net for accidental corruption or overwriting.
Fortunately, there are several methods available to recover damaged Excel files, ranging from built-in Microsoft features to specialized third-party software. This article outlines key approaches to repairing Excel files, with particular attention to one of the most powerful solutions available today: A third part application called Stellar Repair for Excel.
1. Restore via Version History
If your Excel files are stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, the platform’s version history feature can often help you recover an earlier, functional version of your file.
Navigate to the file on File Explorer, then right click it, select Version history, and review the list of previously saved versions. With AutoSave enabled on your Excel file, OneDrive or SharePoint automatically saves snapshots over time, providing an excellent safety net for accidental corruption or overwriting.
2. Check File Extension issues
Sometimes, they file can be saved as a different file type to what is recommended. The first step in troubleshooting this is to ensure that file extensions are visible in Windows File Explorer:
Sometimes, they file can be saved as a different file type to what is recommended. The first step in troubleshooting this is to ensure that file extensions are visible in Windows File Explorer:
- Navigate to the View tab
- Select Show and then File name extensions
3. Use Excel’s Open and Repair Feature
Microsoft Excel includes a built-in Open and Repair function designed to recover damaged files.
To access it:
Microsoft Excel includes a built-in Open and Repair function designed to recover damaged files.
To access it:
- Open Excel, navigate to File → Open → Browse.
- Select the problematic file.
- Click the dropdown arrow next to the Open button and choose Open and Repair.
4. Adjust File Permissions
In some cases, file access errors stem from permission settings rather than file corruption.
To address this:
5. Advanced Recovery with Stellar Repair for Excel
When standard methods fail, a dedicated third-party repair tool becomes useful. The most reliable solution I have come across is called Stellar Repair for Excel.
In some cases, file access errors stem from permission settings rather than file corruption.
To address this:
- Right-click the file, select Properties → Security → Edit → Add → Advanced → Find Now.
- Select Everyone and grant Full control.
5. Advanced Recovery with Stellar Repair for Excel
When standard methods fail, a dedicated third-party repair tool becomes useful. The most reliable solution I have come across is called Stellar Repair for Excel.
You can get access to the desktop version here for $39, or increase to $69 to be able to repair Excel, Word, PowerPoint and pdf files, or for $199 you can use it on 3 machines for any app.
The online version allows one free repair per month, or pay $9.99 per month for up to 5 files or $59.99 for up to 50 or $99.99 for up to 100. In this instance you can download the file 3 hours after uploading.
Both versions are very simple to use, here are instructions for the desktop version:
1. After installation of the desktop application, click “Select file” and browse to the file you’d like to fix
The online version allows one free repair per month, or pay $9.99 per month for up to 5 files or $59.99 for up to 50 or $99.99 for up to 100. In this instance you can download the file 3 hours after uploading.
Both versions are very simple to use, here are instructions for the desktop version:
1. After installation of the desktop application, click “Select file” and browse to the file you’d like to fix
2. Click “Repair” on the bottom right.
3. The repair can take a bit of time, so wait until it is completed.
4. After completion, click the file and choose “Save file”, clicking “default location” will save the file in the same place where the corrupt one lived.
3. The repair can take a bit of time, so wait until it is completed.
4. After completion, click the file and choose “Save file”, clicking “default location” will save the file in the same place where the corrupt one lived.
5. Go to the folder and test whether the file works.
Using the online version, create an account, log in, then click to upload a file, then after 3 hours you’ll be able to download it.
Using the online version, create an account, log in, then click to upload a file, then after 3 hours you’ll be able to download it.
Key Advantages of Stellar Repair for Excel
Why Do Excel Files Become Corrupted?
Excel files may become damaged for a variety of reasons, including:
Excel corruption issues can be stressful, particularly when deadlines are at stake. While Microsoft provides several built-in recovery options, they have limitations. For robust, reliable file recovery — particularly when dealing with complex files — Stellar Repair for Excel offers one of the most effective solutions on the market.
For professionals who rely heavily on Excel, having Stellar Repair in your toolkit can mean the difference between lost work and seamless recovery.
- Excel-Specific tool: Unlike general-purpose file recovery tools, Stellar Repair is purpose-built for Excel, addressing the unique structures and complexities of .xlsx files and similar. Stellar makes other repair tools but this is specifically for Excel.
- Ease of Use: The interface is straightforward, allowing users to select and repair one or multiple files with minimal steps.
- Comprehensive Recovery: Stellar Repair goes beyond restoring raw data. It repairs:
- Complex formulas and nested functions
- Cell and conditional formatting (including icon sets, data bars)
- Tables, PivotTables, and structured references
- Charts, images, and embedded objects
- Power Query connections
- VBA macros and code
- Data validation settings
- Broad Version Compatibility: The software supports Excel versions across Microsoft 365, Excel 2024, 2021, 2019, and earlier.
- Flexible Licensing Options: You can choose between a desktop and online version.
Why Do Excel Files Become Corrupted?
Excel files may become damaged for a variety of reasons, including:
- Application or system crashes
- Synchronization issues with cloud services like OneDrive or SharePoint
- File format conversion errors
- External link failures
Excel corruption issues can be stressful, particularly when deadlines are at stake. While Microsoft provides several built-in recovery options, they have limitations. For robust, reliable file recovery — particularly when dealing with complex files — Stellar Repair for Excel offers one of the most effective solutions on the market.
For professionals who rely heavily on Excel, having Stellar Repair in your toolkit can mean the difference between lost work and seamless recovery.
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