How can I open XLS files on my Mac if the extension is invalid?

Yes, it can be very unpleasant and we may find ourselves with a problem that we may not know how to solve. In this article we will explain you with a few simple steps how to fix this, so you don't have to worry about this error anymore, you will know how to fix it in a two by three every time you get such a warning. However, before we get into the topic, do you know what an XLR file is and how to open one?

How can you fix this from your PC?

First we need to change the extension of the excel file. Next we will explain how to do it in a very simple way, and the truth is that doing it is not that difficult.

You just have to locate the file and with the right mouse button select the copy option, go to any place where you can have your file and with the same procedure copy it there, only this time you have to select the paste option.

Now you need to change the name of your file, any other name you prefer but at the end of the name you need to add ".Xls" as an extension.

Another solution to the problem would be to open the Excel file in safe mode. Sometimes it works to open files with this type of corruption if they are opened in safe mode. To do this you must first press the Windows key followed by the letter R (Windows + R). This will bring out the search engine.

You must write: excel/safe. And then click OK. And voila, this way you will be able to run the Microsoft Office Excel application in safe mode. On the other hand, you can take the opportunity and learn how to secure or set an Excel file for read-only status.

How to open Excel file with Google Docs?

If you haven't tried it yet, we recommend giving it a try. It seems that for many people Google Docs has been a real relief and has saved many people who have had this problem, so if by any chance the two possible solutions we have given you above for some reason did not work Google Docs is your third option. However, you can learn how to import Excel files and sheets into Google Docs step by step.

We have provided you with three simple steps to resolve the file error with a message stating that they are invalid and do not allow us to move forward, we hope they have been helpful, however if not, if we still have the problem we have other options at our reach, so we don't give up on everything so soon.

One way is to open the Excel file using the function Open and restore. What are we talking about? How do we do this? Don't worry, even though I told you they are advanced solutions, they are not complicated at all, you just need to do the following:

Start the Office Excel application

Then you need to go to the File menu or Microsoft Office button and click Open. In the Open dialog that will appear, find and select the file in question, the one that is giving us problems. So finally click the down arrow on the Open button, then click Open and Repair again.

You can also recover Excel files from the previous version. Right-click on the file you cannot access, then go to the 'properties' option and select it.

You have to open the tab that will appear with the name "Previous version". After that you will see a list of all previously stored versions of this file. Finally choose the correct version and click on «restore» in this way the selected version will be restored.

By now you should have fixed the problem, but if you still can't do it, your last option might be to use a free data recovery software, for example EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free.

This is the file recovery tool which is considered to be the safest and most reliable, it is also very easy to use, with few simple steps you can recover deleted Excel files quickly. You can also learn how to recover an unsaved Excel file or document.