Resolve the “Excel Found Unreadable Content” Error Effectively
Key Notes
- Running Excel as Administrator can resolve file access issues.
- Saving the file as a Webpage helps recover its content.
- Installing Visual Basic is necessary for outdated Office versions.
Troubleshooting the ‘Excel Found Unreadable Content’ Error
Encountering the ‘Excel Found Unreadable Content’ error can be frustrating. This guide will walk you through effective methods to resolve the issue, ensuring your critical spreadsheet data is safe and accessible.
Step 1: Launch Excel with Administrative Rights
Step 1: Open Excel as Administrator
To give Excel the necessary permissions, start it with administrative privileges.
Pro Tip: Always consider running applications with admin rights if you face access issues.
Task: Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key to open the search box.
- Type “ excel ” and right-click on “ Microsoft Excel ”.
- Select “ Run as administrator ” from the context menu.
- Once Excel is open, navigate to the “ File ” menu and select “ Open ”.
- Locate your saved file and open it.
Step 2: Save the Excel File as a Webpage
Step 2: Convert the File into Web Format
This method allows you to bypass the error by saving it in a different format initially.
Follow these steps:
- Open the problematic file in Excel and ignore any prompts by selecting “ Yes ”.
- Navigate to “ File ” and then would use “ Save As ”.
- Name your file and change the ‘Save as type’ to “ Web page (*.htm, *.html) ”.
- Pick a location and click “ Save ” to save the file.
- Next, go to “ File ” > “ Open ”.
- Select “ Browse ” to navigate your files.
- Find the recently saved webpage file and click “ Open ”.
- After loading it in Excel, go back to “ File ” and select “ Save As ”.
- Ensure the ‘Save as type’ is set to “ Excel Workbook ”.
- Click “ Save ” to finalize your changes.
Step 3: Install Visual Basic for Applications
Step 3: Set Up Visual Basic for Office
Older versions of Microsoft Office may require you to install Visual Basic separately. Let’s cover the installation steps.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Press Win + R together to open the Run dialog.
- Type
appwiz.cpland hit Enter. - Find either “ Microsoft Office 2010 ” or “ Microsoft Office 2013 ”, right-click it, and select “ Change ”.
- Choose “ Add or Remove Features ” and click “ Continue ”.
- Scroll down to “ Office Shared Features ”, expand “ Visual Basic for Applications ”, and select “ Run from my computer ”.
- Click “ Continue ” and wait for the installation to complete. Finally, reboot your computer.
Additional Tips
- Always create backups before attempting any repairs.
- Using the ‘Open and Repair’ feature in Excel can also help resolve file issues.
- Keep your Office software updated to minimize compatibility issues.
Summary
We’ve discussed various effective methods for fixing the ‘Excel Found Unreadable Content’ error. By running Excel as an administrator, converting files to web formats, and ensuring Visual Basic is installed, you can resolve these frustrating errors and manage your spreadsheets effectively.
Conclusion
As you settle into these solutions, remember to stay vigilant about file backups. Regular maintenance and updates for your Excel application will safeguard against future errors. Take action now to keep your data secure!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What causes the ‘Excel Found Unreadable Content’ error?
This error can occur due to corruption in the file, issues with Excel settings, or file permission conflicts.
Is there a way to prevent this error from happening?
Maintaining regular backups, avoiding abrupt power cuts, and ensuring your Excel software is updated can help prevent these issues.