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Microsoft Excel cannot access the file? Use These Solutions

Excel cannot access some files that are damaged or corrupted

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Microsoft Excelis a major component of the Microsoft Office Suite and acts as the official spreadsheet software.

Because of this, there isn’t a person alive that hasn’t used or at least heard of Microsoft Excel. However, it is just a program after all, and no program is safe from the occasional issues and bugs.

Such would be the case with anerrormessage some users have beenreporting, where Microsoft Excel states that it cannot access a file.

I have a large Excel 2013 file that I’m modifying. When I open the workbook I receive errors […]Microsoft Excelcannot access the file…

What can I do if Microsoft Excel cannot access any file?

What can I do if Microsoft Excel cannot access any file?

Thiserrorusually occurs when you press an external link within a workbook, but the name or the file path of the linked item has been changed.

This leads to theerrormessage described above. Because of this, there are only a couple of things that you can do to remedy this problem:

Finding all the external links within a workbook can be a daunting task, especially if the workbook spans several pages and hundreds of cells.

Because of this, one simple solution to finding them is to find links used in formulas:

This will bring all the external links to other workbooks together, and from here you can update them all.

2.Install the latest updates for Microsoft Excel

3. Disable add-ins

By following these steps, you should be able to get rid of the error message in Microsoft Excel.

Know of any other solutions to this common Microsoft Excel problem? Let us know in the comments section below!

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More about the topics:error,windows 10

Teodor Nechita

Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.

When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.

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