Microsoft Excel opens saved Excel file as blank workbook

Updated: 03/06/2020 by Calculator Hope

Microsoft Excel

Sometimes, when a user opens a saved workbook or certificate, it is blank. This event is often acquired when Excel's settings are changed (usually inadvertently) to ignore external programs. To learn how to fix this issue, effort the following suggestions below.

Uncheck "Ignore DDE" choice

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. In the Ribbon, click the File tab and click Options in the left navigation pane.
  3. Click Advanced, so locate the General department.
  4. Uncheck the box next to Ignore other applications that utilize Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
  5. Click OK.

Disable hardware graphics dispatch in Excel

Sometimes, Excel has bug opening an Excel file and displaying the information due to hardware acceleration for the graphics card in the computer. You can disable the hardware graphics acceleration in Excel by following the steps beneath.

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. In the Ribbon, click the File tab and click Options in the left navigation pane.
  3. Click Advanced, and then locate the Display section.
  4. Bank check the box side by side to Disable hardware graphics acceleration.
  5. Click OK.

Reset Excel file associations

Windows x and 11

  1. Open the First menu and select the Settings option.
  2. Click the Organisation icon or option.
  3. In the "Notice a setting" search field at the elevation, type default apps and click the Default apps selection in the search results.
  4. Scroll down to find and click the Reset button.

Tip

The steps above reset the default file associations for Microsoft applications. If yous desire to select/modify file associations manually, in step #three in a higher place, select the Choose a default app by file type or similar option in the search results. You lot can then associate Microsoft Excel to the various Excel file types (east.g., .xlsx, .xlsm, etc.)

Windows 8

  1. On the Start screen, type Control Console and open up the Command Panel.
  2. Click the Default Programs selection, then click the Fix your default programs option.
  3. Select Excel and click the Choose defaults for this program option.
  4. In the Set Plan Associations window, select the Select All choice and click the Save button.

Windows Vista and 7

  1. Open up the Start menu and click the Control Panel option.
  2. Click the Default Programs icon, then click the Fix your default programs selection.
  3. Select Excel in the Programs list on the left side, then click the Choose defaults for this program option at the bottom.
  4. In the Set Program Associations window, click the check box for Select All and click the Save button.

Y'all can also select a file type association specifically for Excel worksheets only by post-obit the steps below.

  1. Open the Start menu and click the Control Panel pick.
  2. Click the Default Programs icon, then click the Associate a file blazon or protocol with a specific programme selection.
  3. In the Fix Associations window, under the Clarification column, find and select the entry for Microsoft Excel Worksheet. Click the Change program button at the summit-right.
  4. In the Open with window, under the Recommended Programs section, select the Excel option (might exist named "Excel (desktop)" or like) and click the OK push button.

Tip

You may too desire to perform the steps above for the Excel 97-2003 Worksheet file type.

Disable add-ins

Microsoft Excel may use add-ins to provide boosted features and functionality. These add-ins sometimes cause problems with opening Excel spreadsheet files. Disabling these add-ins may set up the outcome of an Excel file opening as a blank workbook.

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. In the Ribbon, click the File tab and click Options in the left navigation pane.
  3. Click Add-ins on the left side of the Options window.
  4. In the Manage driblet-down list at the bottom, select COM Add-ins and click Get.
  5. Uncheck the box next to 1 of the add-ins that is currently enabled (box is checked) and click OK.
  6. Shut Microsoft Excel, then open the Excel file again.
  7. If the trouble is not fixed, repeat steps ii-vi once more, unchecking the box for another COM add-in in stride 5. Echo until the issue is fixed or all COM add together-ins are unchecked.
  8. If the problem continues afterward disabling all COM add-ins, repeat steps 2-six, but select Excel Add together-ins in step 4. Uncheck the box for one enabled add-in, exam, and repeat until the issue is fixed or all Excel add-ins are unchecked.

Repair Microsoft Office

The Microsoft Office application, and specifically the Excel application, may not exist operation properly, requiring you to repair information technology. To repair Microsoft Office, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Control Console in Windows.
  2. Click the Programs and Features option.
  3. Select the Microsoft Function option in the programs list, then click the Repair option above the programs list.

Note

For Microsoft Office 365, you need to click the Change option above the programs list, select the Online Repair choice on the next screen, then select the Repair choice.

  1. If prompted, click the Continue pick or push.

Allow at least several minutes for the repair process to consummate. There should exist a minor window with a progress bar to testify you the repair status.