How To Repair Excel File On Mac

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Excel is a robust platform that allows us to manage and analyze massive sets of data. However, there can be instances where your valuable Excel files can get corrupted due to various reasons. This could be down to software issues, abrupt system shutdowns or malware. In this article, we aim to guide you on how to repair Excel files on your Mac.

Method 1: Using Excel’s Built-in Repair Tool

Excel has an in-built repair tool that can fix certain issues with your files. Here is how you can use it:

  1. Open Excel on your Mac.
  2. Click on File in the menu bar, then choose Open.
  3. In the Open dialog box, select the corrupted Excel file.
  4. Click on the arrow next to Open, and choose Open and Repair.

Excel will now attempt to repair your file. If successful, your file should be usable again. However, this method may not work in all cases, especially if the file is severely corrupted.

Method 2: Use Third-Party Software

If the in-built repair tool doesn’t work, you can try using third-party software. Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery is a popular choice. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download and install Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery.
  2. Launch the software and select the damaged Excel file.
  3. Click on the Repair button.

The software will start scanning the file and attempt to repair it. Once the process is completed, you can open the Excel file again to check if the issue is resolved.

Method 3: Restore from Time Machine Backup

If you have a Time Machine backup, you can restore your Excel file from it. This method requires you to have set up Time Machine and regularly backed up your files.

  1. Connect your backup drive to your Mac.
  2. Open a Finder window and navigate to the location where the corrupted Excel file is.
  3. Choose Enter Time Machine from the Time Machine menu.
  4. Use the timeline or up and down arrows to find the version of the file you want to recover.
  5. Click Restore to restore the selected file.

Time Machine will now restore the Excel file, replacing the existing one with the version from your backup.

Conclusion

Repairing a corrupted Excel file on a Mac can seem daunting, but with these methods, it doesn’t have to be. Whether you use Excel’s built-in repair tool, third-party software, or a Time Machine backup, you have several options to recover your important data.