How to Resolve the “Microsoft Excel Cannot Access the File” Error

Overview:

The “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error commonly occurs when there’s an issue with the Excel file you’re attempting to save. This post delves into the typical causes behind this error and provides practical solutions to resolve it. If you suspect file corruption, it’s crucial to address it as soon as possible.

Understanding the Issue:

The “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error often signifies that Excel is unable to read the file due to an issue with its name or location. This error may also occur if the file is currently in use by another program. Other potential causes include:

• Faulty or incompatible Excel add-ins
• File is in Protected View
• The file is damaged or corrupted
• Lack of sufficient permissions to access the file
• File format incompatibility

Steps to Fix the “Microsoft Excel Cannot Access the File” Error:

If changing the file’s location doesn’t resolve the issue, try the following troubleshooting methods:

Method 1: Verify File Name and Path

An incorrect or excessively long file path can trigger this error. Ensure that the file path is correct. If the path is too lengthy, try renaming the file or moving it to a parent folder. You can also remove the file from Excel’s Recent list:

• Open Excel.
• Right-click the affected file in the Recent list.
• Select “Remove from list.”
• Close and reopen Excel to see if the issue persists.

Method 2: Clear the Microsoft Office Cache

Clearing the Office cache may help resolve the error:

• Close all Office applications.
• Press Windows + R, type “%localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache” (modify ‘16.0’ for your Office version), and press Enter.
• In the OfficeFileCache window, delete all temporary files.

Method 3: Keep Microsoft Excel Updated

Ensuring Excel is up-to-date can resolve bugs and improve performance:

• Open Excel.
• Go to File > Account.
• Under Product Information, click Update Options > Update Now.

Method 4: Disable Protected View

Protected View may sometimes block file access. To disable it:

• Open Excel, go to File > Options.
• Click Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.
• Select Protected View and uncheck all options.
• Click OK.

Method 5: Disable Faulty Add-ins

Faulty add-ins can lead to Excel errors. To check:

• Open Excel in safe mode (Windows + R, type excel /safe).
• If the error doesn’t appear in safe mode, go to File > Options.
• Click Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Add-ins.
• Select “Disable all application add-ins” and click OK.

Method 6: Verify File Permissions

Insufficient permissions can cause access issues:

• Right-click the Excel file in Windows Explorer and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab and click Edit.
• Ensure write permissions are enabled for your user account. If not, grant permission and click Apply.

Method 7: Fix External Links

Broken external links in the Excel file can also prevent access. Ensure all links are pointing to the correct source.

Method 8: Repair the Excel File

If you suspect the file is corrupted, use Excel’s built-in repair tool:

• Open Excel, click File > Open.
• Browse for the problematic file.
• Click the arrow next to Open and select Open and Repair.
• Choose Repair when prompted.

Conclusion:

The “Microsoft Excel cannot access the file” error can be caused by various issues, including file location, permissions, or corruption. Following the troubleshooting steps above can help you resolve the problem. If you need further assistance, Medha Cloud is ready to support your IT needs.