Error Messages While Opening a Workbook in Excel

A macro in MS Excel is a series of commands and functions stored in Visual Basic module. Macro  is basically used for automating tasks and can be run whenever you need to perform the task. But, there are times when a workbook in Excel refuses to open and prompts an error message.  Sometimes, the error message may even occur if the macros are not present in the file. It is also possible that the Excel  spreadsheet is corrupt. Due to this, you may face the threat of losing your data saved in the workbook. And, if the data saved in the workbook was critical, then recovery becomes important. Here, a powerful excel repair application will enable you to recover your data from the Excel file.

Consider a situations – Sometimes, when you try to open a Excel file, lets say a workbook, you encounter the following error message:

“The workbook you are opening contains macros. Some macros may contain viruses.”

You get three options after this error message, viz- Disable Macros (Default), Enable Macros and Do not open. This surprises you as you know that the workbook does not contain macros. Furthermore, while you are still worried about this error message, another error message appears:

“Unable to read file.”

The end result of the whole scenario comes out to be fatal as the data saved in the workbook becomes inaccessible.

Cause:

Possible reasons for the above error message are:

Norton anti-virus conflicting with MS Excel.
Some add-ins hinder in the proper functioning of Excel.
Excel uses files with .xlb extension to store toolbar information. Sometimes, these files get corrupt and the error message appears.

Resolution:

Since, the problem is caused by three different causes, there has to be a separate solution for all of them. Thus, to solve the problem, consider the following measures:

When an anti-virus like Norton is generating the problem, then you need to uninstall it.
If the problem is caused by add-ins in Excel, you need to disable them.
If the files with .xlb extension are causing the problem, then delete all the files. But, if the problem still continues, then the problem is most probably due to Excel spreadsheet corruption. In such a case, you will need to repair excel file to retrieve your data from the corrupted Excel file. This can be easily done by using an effective excel recovery application that employs sophisticated scanning mechanisms to repair the Excel file successfully. Designed with interactive graphical user interface, these utilities are user-friendly and self-explanatory.

Recovering Data After Excel File Corruption

Many of us use MS Excel to perform various financial calculations, statistical analysis, business or personal records. While we usually think that the data stored in Excel is safe, sometimes an Excel file gets corrupted. Corruption in Excel file occurs due to numerous reasons like improper system shutdown, virus infection, application malfunction, power failure, and many alike. The end result of corruption of the Excel file comes out to be fatal as the data in the Excel file cannot be accessed anymore. To access your data, you need to have a recent data backup file. However, if you do not have a backup, then a powerful excel repair application will enable you to retrieve your data from the corrupted Excel file.

For instance – In some cases, when you try to open an Excel file, you may encounter any of the below mentioned error message:

“Cannot find the file.”
“Unable to read file.”
“Unexpected Error (35012).”
“File format not valid.”
“The file *.xls caused a serious error the last time it was opened.”

After the occurrence of any of the above error message, the Excel file does not open and ultimately your data becomes inaccessible.

Cause:

The root cause of all the above mentioned error messages is the corruption of Excel file. This happens due to the following reasons:

When a computer shuts down, it closes all the open files. But, in case the computer crashes, then the open Excel files get corrupted.
Excel file corruption can also occur when the hard drive develops s bad sector and the Excel files are within that sector.
Some software problems like unexpected closure of the files cause corruption of Excel files.
Another reason for Excel corruption is virus infection.

Resolution:

To resolve the Excel corruption issues, you will need to repair excel file using an effective third-party application known as excel repair software. These applications employ high-end scanning mechanisms to ensure complete retrieval of your data from the corrupted Excel file. Embedded with rich graphical user interface, these tools are easy to use and understand.

“Too many different cell formats.” error message causing Excel file corruption

A spreadsheet is an  MS Excel object, which consists of  columns, rows, and cells, each comprising of different aspects, which include size, background colors, border, text orientation, etc. But, at times,  situations arise where you might experience some issues while formatting cells or columns in excel, which may cause corruption of Excel file. In such situations, the data saved in the Excel file becomes inaccessible. In order to access the data, you will need to use an updated backup file. However, if you have not maintained any backup, or the backup itself gets corrupted, then a powerful excel repair software will enable you to retrieve all the data from the corrupted Excel file.

For instance – Sometimes, when you try to format a cell or range of cells, you encounter the below mentioned error message:

“Too many different cell formats.”

This error message leads to corruption of the Excel file or workbook, due to which you fail to access the data stored in the file.

Cause:

The above mentioned error message mainly occurs if the workbook contains more than 4000 different combinations of cell format. In other words, the error message is the result of complex formatting used, which generally occurs in shared workbook leading to corruption of the file.

Resolution:

Try to resolve the problem by simplifying the formatting in the workbook. Consider the measures given below to simplify the formatting:

Try using a standard font. This will reduce the number of formatting combinations.
Try to use borders consistently in worksheets.

Save and close the workbook after simplifying the formatting. Then, reopen the workbook before applying additional cell formatting.

In most cases, you will succeed in resolving the problem by following the above mentioned measures. However, if the problem continues to exist, then you will need to excel file repair by using a effective excel repair software. Employing high-end scanning algorithms, these applications provide quick and accurate retrieval of your data. These applications are carefully incorporated by highly proficient technicians, who furnish these tools with interactive graphical user interface to make them user-friendly and self-explanatory.

Resolving Startup Problems in MS Excel

If you are a regular MS Excel user, then you might have experienced some error messages while opening an Excel file. But, have you ever come across unusual behavior of MS Excel at the startup?? If not, then you might be shocked to know that sometimes, Excel can be problematic at the startup, after which you may encounter an error message. As a result, any of the Excel file can get corrupt and the data stored in that particular file becomes inaccessible. In order to access your data, you need to use an updated backup file to restore the data. But, in case of unavailability of backup, you need to go for excel file repair to retrieve your data from the corrupted Excel files.

As a regular MS Excel user, any unusual behavior of the application causing corruption of your files can put you on backfoot as you may be on the verge of losing your precious data. In such cases, excel recovery becomes essential. But, before explaining the solution, let us talk about the kind of problems that you may encounter at MS Excel startup:

  • Conflicting or problematic file in Excel startup folder or alternate startup file location.
  • Corrupted Excel toolbar file.
  • Corruption in the registry keys.
  • Corrupted shortcut to the Excel program.
  • Corrupted add-ins under the Tools menu.

When you come across any of the above mentioned symptoms, then there is a possibility of Excel file or files corruption. At this point, you need to find an appropriate solution to repair the damaged or corrupted Excel files.

Resolution:

When an Excel file gets corrupted, then the only way though which your data can be retrieved is by using a powerful third-party application known as excel repair software. These are advanced applications that are designed specifically to resolve all the corruption issues in MS Excel. These tools effectively repair the corrupted or damaged Excel file by incorporating sophisticated scanning mechanisms. Furthermore, these applications are embedded with highly interactive graphical user interface that makes them user friendly and self explanatory. So, you do not require any prior technical skills.

Workbook corruption due to “Unexpected Error (35012)”

A workbook is a MS Excel file , which can hold many worksheets altogether. It is a spreadsheet application in which you can enter, store and manipulate data. It is used to perform tedious calculations, analyze information and manage huge lists in spreadsheet. At times, however, you fail to open the workbook to access your vital data. This generally happens due to the presence of Visual Basic modules in the workbook which may cause Excel file corruption. To access the contents of the workbook, you can use a valid data backup file, if available. In case of unavailability of the backup, you need to excel file repair to retrieve your inaccessible data.

Consider a practical situations – Sometimes, when you attempt to open a workbook( that has macros) , which contains Visual Basic for Applications modules, the following error message may appear on the system screen:

“Unexpected Error (35012)”

After this error message, a Disable Macros dialog box may appear, but the problem remains intact even after disabling the macros. Further, when you click OK in the error message, the workbook closes but Excel remains opened.

Cause:

You come across the above error message when the workbook is corrupted or damaged, regardless of the macro code being present in the file. Corruption in the workbook file may occur due to virus infected macros , improper system shutdown, application malfunction, etc.

Resolution:

Consider the measures given below to resolve the issues:

  • Try to re-open the file in Excel and set the calculation option to Manual.
  • Try opening the Excel file in MS Word. However, even if the file opens, you may not be able to recover macros sheets, charts, cell formulas, embedded charts, and more. In such a situation, it is recommended to use a third-party application to repair excel file. An effective excel repair software will enable you to retrieve and restore the data from the corrupted workbook file. These are advanced applications that employ high-end scanning mechanisms to quickly scan and repair the Excel file. Embedded with rich graphical user interface, these tools are easy to use and understand without any prior technical skills.