One of the most inconvenient and yet unfortunately common problems when it comes to using Microsoft Excel would be Excel files opening blank when users attempt to open them. While frustrating, there’s actually a way to resolve and troubleshoot this problem. Here’s how you can go about troubleshooting blank excel files:
- DDE
One of the very first steps when it comes to troubleshooting blank excel files to check your Excel options. The likeliest cause for this problem would be that the option for ignoring applications that use DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) was selected since DDE messages are the “instructions” that are passed to Excel in order to open workbook files when you click on them. When the Ignore option is checked, Excel ignores all DDE messages and so the command to open the workbook file is ignored. Rectify it by locating the Tools tab and choosing Options. Once done, select the General tab and clear the checkbox right next to Ignore applications that use DDE. Then authorise the change with OK.
- UE-V
The next step when it comes to troubleshooting blank files would be to repair the UE-V (User Experience Virtualisation). This only applies to users who are running UE-V so check to see if you are doing so by going into your Control Panel and selecting Programs and Features to bring up the list of programs you are using. If you find Company Settings Center, then it is likely that you are running on it. Repair this with Microsoft Office’s hotfix: 2927019 and follow the instructions provided from there.
- File associations
If you are still unable to resolve the problem, then you can try resetting file associations. Do note that this will reset your Excel file associations to the default setting so be prepared for that. If you are using different operating systems, there may be different steps. If you are using Windows 7, go to your Control panel and choose Default programs. Then choose the option to Associate a file type and choose Microsoft Excel worksheet. This will enable you to change the program used to open your file- choose Microsoft Excel once more. But if you are using Windows 8, go to your Start screen and manually search for the Control panel. Choose Default programs and set default programs. This will enable you to choose Excel and choose your default opening program. Choose and the set programs associations screen will appear. Select all and save.
- Microsoft Office
Another alternative method for troubleshooting blank excel files would be to repair Microsoft Office. Access your Control Panel and choose Uninstall a program. You will then be prompted to identify the file. Choose Microsoft Office and choose the Change Option. You will have to choose Online Repair and authorise the Repair function. Restart your computer for the repair process to be completed. Upon restarting, test it again to see if you have succeeded.
- Add ins
Sometimes the add ins you are using together with Microsoft Excel could be the reason for problems that arise. To test that out, you can choose to turn off your add ins and see if everything returns to normal. Locate your File tab and choose Options from there. Then select Add ins and Manage to open up the list of add in items you are using. Now try clearing the add ins one by one from the list and clicking okay. Then restart excel and click on your workbook file again to slowly identify and isolate the problematic add in. Make sure to update your add ins too, to see if the problem can be resolved.
