Fixing “Microsoft Excel Cannot Access the File” Errors

“Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” is an error message that appears when an end user attempts to access or save an Excel worksheet. In this tutorial, we’ll go through its various error causes, and provide a number of effective remedies you can utilise today. If the error is as a result of data corruption, then there are tools (that I have recommended) that you can use to repair it.

This error, which occurs in Microsoft Excel, present itself as a major issue, especially when it prevents the user from opening or accessing an important worksheet. The end result is a loss in vital productivity, and a potential longstanding issue, that one must overcome if they are to restore proper business operations.

The “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error occurs in virtually every version of Excel (2013, 2016, 2019 & 365). It is also known to occur in a wide variety of circumstances. Common symptoms of the error is an inability to access the problematic file, which, depending on its importance can be detrimental.

In order to alleviate this problem, there are a series of troubleshooting steps you should take to rectify it. This may mean having to repair the file, alter your OS permissions or convert the worksheet to a different format.

As is typically the case, having some understanding of the issue, such as, what causes it, can put you in a more advantageous position when it comes to fixing it.

So, let us commence with the most common error causes.

What Causes “Microsoft Excel Cannot Access the File” Errors?

Before we get to the solutions, it’s very important that we have a firm grasp of the situations and circumstances that can cause a “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error.

This understanding will go a long way in helping you rectify the problem. So, what are the most common causes, well, based on my research, they are the following:

• Insufficient OS Permission(s): The end user may lack the necessary permissions to access the Excel worksheet file.
• Compatibility Issue: The Excel Worksheet may have been created in a Microsoft Excel that is not compatible with the version you are trying to open it in.
• Filename Is Too Long: Microsoft Documents (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt) have a file path length limit, which when exceeded, can result in unexpected situations.
• The Excel File Is Corrupted: It’s possible the file was corrupted, either by a virus infection or an abrupt system shutdown.

Now that we have the potential causes out of the way, let’s delve into the much desired solutions.

How to Fix It

Now that you have a general idea of what causes “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” errors, the next step is to attempt some troubleshooting solutions. Don’t worry, we’ll start off with the most basic solutions – as the root cause could be something easily remedied.

So, to begin with, I’d suggest you considered shortening the File Path Length.

This error is known to occur when a worksheet is given an unusually long filename. Thus, to eliminate filename as potential cause, I’d recommend you, moved the Excel file to your desktop. Then, right-clicked on it, and selected Rename.

Once you have shortened the filename. Double-click on it, to verify whether or not that has resolved the problem.

However, if the error persists, then I recommend you attempt the additional solutions below:

Use Stellar Excel Repair to Fix “Microsoft Excel Cannot Access the File” Errors

Stellar Excel Repair, as the name suggests is an Excel repair tool. Designed, specifically to fix corruption within Excel worksheets. Through the use of this tool, the end user can fully restore their corrupted Excel file, this means the retrieval of all cells, charts, pages and other crucial information.

As previously noted, the “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error is known to occur when the excel file itself is corrupted (or damaged). In situations like this, the only viable solution is to use a repair tool (like Stellar Excel Repair) to recover all the data contained within the file.

When it comes to using this tool, it comes with a wide range of features that include the following:

• The ability to repair previously inaccessible Excel worksheets.
• Support for all versions of Microsoft Excel file formats.
• Retrieval of all crucial Excel data, such as formulas, charts, etc.
• Fix common Excel errors, such as “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file”.

So, if that interests you, then I recommend you click the link below:

CLICK HERE TO GET STELLAR EXCEL REPAIR

The solution(s) below are for ADVANCED level computer users. If you are a beginner to intermediate computer user, I highly recommend you use the automated tool(s) above!

Change File Permissions

It’s possible the file is inaccessible to the user because of insufficient permissions. This may occur when the file was copied or moved from a networked location. In situations like this, you can access the file by doing the following:

1. First, boot into your system as a full administrator.

2. Then, click on the Excel Worksheet and select Properties.

3. This will bring up the Worksheet Properties applet, from here, click on the Security Tab, then click on Edit.

4. Another applet Permission for Worksheet will appear, click on Add.

5. When the Select Users or Groups dialog box pops up, type Everyone into the Enter the object names to select box and click on Check name. Lastly, click on OK.

6. This will take you back to the previous applet, click on Everyone, in the Group or user names field, then tick the Allow box next to Full Control. Click on OK to finish.

Run Excel in Safe Mode

It’s possible the “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error is as a result of certain settings or an add-on. Thus, to determine whether or not this is the case, you should run Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode. To do that, follow the steps below:

1. First, boot into your system as a full administrator.

2. Then press + R, type Excel.exe /Safe and click on OK.

3. This will open Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode, now you can try opening the problematic worksheet.

Update Microsoft Excel

Software updates are created for the explicit purpose of fixing temporary problems. To ensure the “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error isn’t the result of an outdated Excel, you can update it, by doing the following:

1. Boot into your system as an admin, then open Excel.

2. Now, click on File, then click on Account.

4. On the Account screen, click on Update Options -> Update Now.

Disable/Remove Add-Ins

A number of end users have reported that they were able to fix the “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error by disabling all their Excel add-ins. This, may or may not be a legitimate fix, depending on whether or not you actually use those add-ins.

Anyway, to disable your add-ins, simply do the following:

1. Boot into your system as an admin, then open Excel.

2. When Microsoft Excel loads up, click on File. Now, click on Options.

3. This will bring up the Excel Options box, click on Add-ins. Select Excel Add-ins from the Manage dropdown menu, then click on Go.

4. This will bring up the Add-ins applet, from here, untick all active add-ins and click on OK.

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