excel 2013 can't open old files

I found out a way to open the files, but unfortunately not directly from the Outlook.

Here are the steps that i performed to open word and excel files:

1. Right click on the file name
2. Click Properties
3. In the tab General look at the very bottom, below the Attributes it displays:

   Security: This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer.

Next to the text there is a button Unblock

4. Click Unblock, then Apply, and OK
5. Open the file regularly.

Hello,

As per the description provided, you’re having trouble opening Excel files created in 2007 version in Excel 2013.

I would require few details about the issue in order to assist you better.

1. What exactly happens when you try to open the Excel 2007 files in 2013 version?
2. Do you get any error message?
3. Does the issue occur only with Excel or with other Office 2013 applications as well?

There might also be an issue with the file association not set to Excel application.

Try the steps below to correct the file association and check.

1.  Right click on any of the Excel file which has problem.

2.    Select ‘Open With’ from the pop-up menu.

3.    Click Choose default Program.

4.    Select Microsoft Excel in the Programs box.

5.    Check ‘Always use the selected program to open this kind of file’.

6.    Click ok and try to open the file.

You may also refer the link below for more information about setting a default program for a file type:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-the-program-that-opens-a-type-of-file

Hope the information provided is helpful.

If you still face an issue, do reply and we are happy to assist.

Thank You.

Worked for me! ... Thank you very much! saved me from growing grey early!! haha :)

This did not work.  I ran the fixit from the article you linked, but it did not fix the problem.  I tried the fixit for me, and also tried the manual fix.  I still get the same message.

I got windows office 2013 and installed it on my windows 7 laptop.  I have old office 2007 excel files that I can't open, and some that will only open when I go through the program and search for them. After loading some files I tried to save them in the new format. But even after that I can't open the file. I tried coping and pasting the info, again with no sucess. what can I do to fix this.

FIXED - 3) below (actually 3b) fixed this issue for me. :)

I have these installed:

* Windows 8.1 (64bit)

* MS Project Pro 2010 installed locally (via DreamSpark as a Uni student)

* MS Visio Pro 2013 installed locally (via DreamSpark as a Uni student)

* MS Office 365 ProPlus (Office 2013) installed locally (via MS Student Advantage as a Uni student)

I am trying to open excel files (*.xls & *.xlsx) that were created with MS Office 2010 OR LibreOffice OR OpenOffice. When I double click one to open it, Excel (2013) opens but the file does not & there is no error message displayed.  I can only open the file in Excel by using File > Open > & browse for the file.

When I open *.xls files, it shows " [Compatibility Mode] - Excel" after the filename in the title bar. Everything else works fine such as editing, printing & saving, just not double clicking to open.

Potential Checks:

1. In Excel > File > Options > Advanced > 'Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)' is NOT ticked (by default).
2. *.xls & *.xlsx files are set to open with excel by default, however I have tried re-setting this, but it didn't fix the problem.

3) Re-register Excel with Windows.

The path for my excel.exe is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\excel.exe, the path differs depending on your Windows & Office version.

3a) For Office 2003 or earlier, run these 2 separate commands in 'Run' (Windows key + R), however as we are talking about Office 2013, this method is invalid, use 3b) instead.

Windows key + R (run) >

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\excel.exe" /unregserver

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\excel.exe" /regserver

3b) As per http://www.jkp-ads.com/Articles/StartupProblems.asp, apparently /regserver only works up to Office 2003 as it was removed in Office 2007.

For Office 2007 & above, you need to run Office setup in 'Repair' mode from 'Programs & Features' (aka 'Add/Remove Programs') via 'Control Panel'.

eg: Control Panel > Programs & Features (Add/Remove Programs) > select Office 2013 > Change > Repair.

THIS FIXED MINE :)

4. Right click excel.exe > Properties > there is no 'Compatibility' tab so I can't do the following:

Uncheck the box 'Run this Program in Compatibility Mode',

Make sure you also click on the option 'change settings for all users' tab at the bottom of the same screen.

> Apply > Ok.

5. Installed MS Office Configuration Analyzer Tool (OffCAT) via http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2812744/en-us

and ran it for Office 2013 (ClickToRun). The only results were:

* WARNING - hyperlinks are not working in Outlook

* INFORMATIONAL - Cashed Credentials (Win Vista & above)

6. other suggestions via http://www.jkp-ads.com/Articles/StartupProblems.asp

Regards

Shell