Why does my Excel cannot be open or repair immediately ? it is my first time to open a file here

If you are unable to open or repair an Excel file, it could be due to several reasons. Here are some common causes and potential solutions:

1. File Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the file. If the file was sent via Facebook Messenger, check if it was downloaded correctly and that you have permission to open it.
2. Insufficient Memory or Disk Space: Excel may not open if there is not enough available memory or disk space. Close any unnecessary applications to free up memory and check your disk space.
3. File Corruption: The file you received may be corrupted. You can try to open it using the "Open and Repair" feature in Excel. To do this, open Excel, go to the File tab, select Open, and then choose the damaged file. At the bottom of the Open dialog, select Open and Repair.
4. Windows Firewall: If the Windows Firewall service is not running, it might affect your ability to open files from external sources. Make sure the Windows Firewall is enabled.
5. File Format Issues: If the file format is not compatible with your version of Excel, you may encounter issues opening it. Ensure that the file is in a supported format, such as .xlsx or .xls.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider repairing your Office installation or checking for updates.

References:

• Cannot open Word documents or Excel spreadsheets from an external source in Outlook
• You receive an error message when you try to open an Office document

Hello @Jessa Canama, 

Good day! Thank you for posting your valuable question on the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

To help us provide the most accurate and effective solution for your Excel issue, could you share a bit more detail about your setup? 

• Which Excel version are you using (Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, Excel Online,…) ?
• Are you trying to open the file directly from Facebook Messenger or did you download and save it locally first? 
• When you click on the Excel file, does it open your Excel web version or desktop version? 
• If the file open through your Excel desktop app, what is the file extension of the document?  (.xlsx, .xls, .csv?) 
• Can you open other Excel files on this laptop without issues? 
• What operating system are you using (Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS,...)?
• Could you share the exact error message or a screenshot? 

This additional context will help us understand your environment and the steps already taken so we can tailor the guidance to resolve the issue effectively. If you upload any images to this forum, please ensure all personal information is removed beforehand.

In the meantime, here are some basic checks you can try: 

• Save the file locally before opening it. 
• Confirm that Excel is installed and updated to the latest version. 

I apologize if I could not jump straight to a solution. I want to avoid suggesting anything that might be inaccurate or unhelpful. Once we have the details above, we’ll be able to assist you more effectively and guide you toward the right resolution. 

Looking forward to your response so we can get this sorted out for you together. 

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

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