excel 2013 can't open old files

Anonymous
2013-03-04T04:59:35+00:00

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.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

73 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-28T17:38:58+00:00

    Hi all,

    I have found that if I uninstall the old 2007 Windows office version which was on my pc and then uninstall and reinstall the new office 365 it works perfectly OK with no errors . I was told it shouldn't matter if both versions are installed on your pc, clearly this wasn't the case for me.

    Hope this helps.

    Shelley

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-01T17:14:30+00:00

    Hello,

     

    Did you uncheck the option ‘**Run this program in compatibility’**mode for Word?

     

    If not, uncheck the option and let us know how it works.

     

    Also uncheck the same option for Excel application as well and verify the status.

     

    For further queries, reply and we would be happy to assist.

    Thank you.

    I finally had to call Microsoft and pay $150 for "extra support" to get it fixed. They accessed my computer changed some settings and fixed the problem. Only temporarily!!  With the latest windows update I now have the same issue again!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-02T03:41:48+00:00

    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

    1. Click Unblock, then Apply, and OK
    2. Open the file regularly.

    Was this answer helpful?

    90+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-02T10:06:31+00:00

    Hi Witney.

    Most replies handle about open Excel files without any link to Outlook. We don't talk about file security functionality, which has been integrated into Microsoft Office since Office XP (afaik).

    Bye, Olaf

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2014-01-03T02:40:32+00:00

    Hi OlafSonderegger,

    Yes, I understand; however, my initial problem was the same as described in others. I just couldn't open older files with MS 2013. For example I had files I created and did not email anywhere, but couldn't open. And the solution I described was applicable to the these older files, and files I received by email.

    regards.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments