How to Fix Excel Found Unreadable Content Error (Easy Guide)

Excel Found Unreadable Content in 'Filename.xlsx'

"Hi Team, I am generating files using this module. Some files I am able to open without any issues. But some other file
I am getting errors like 'Excel found unreadable content in XXXX.xlsx'. I am unable to resolve the issue. Can you please confirm, if it is an issue with the file or with the module and help me to fix it out. I have attached two files out of which the file I am able to open without any issue is 'Export_201605.xlsx'."

Does the Excel file have unreadable content? You can solve the problem here! What Is Excel file corruption? It is when contents inside an Excel workbook go haywire. A workbook can be damaged, if improperly manipulated, by any application which reads or writes .xlsx files.

What Causes the Excel Found Unreadable Content Error

Many reasons could lead to this error. The main reasons are listed below:

• The cache of the Excel is probably full
• Virus attack or file corruption happens on your PC
• Excel application is not installed completely on your computer
• The system errors or system failure which causes full or partial file corruption

As you can see, corruption can be a reason that leads to this error. Following are some workarounds you can try to resolve this error.

Method 1. Set the Excel File as Read-only

You can try to use the read-only mode to remove the error "Excel found unreadable content". Here are the details:

Step 1. In Excel, click "File" from the main menu.

Step 2. Select "Save" for a new document or "Save As" for the previously saved document.

Step 3. From the "Save As" dialog box, click "Tools > General Options".

Step 4. Click the "read-only" checkbox to make the document read-only, and then click "OK". 

Now open a new, empty .xls file. Next, you need to copy everything from the damaged file to the new file. After that, save the file.

Method 2. Install Visual Basic Component of MS Office

It is said that installing the "Visual Basic" component of MS Office 2010 resolves the error message. You can apply the steps to repair unreadable excel file:

Step 1. Go to "Control Panel > Programs > select Microsoft Office 2010".

Step 2. Click "Change > Add or Remove Programs". Click the "plus" sign provided next to Office Shared Features at the bottom of this list.

Step 3. Click "Visual Basic for Applications" and select "Run from My Computer".

Then, reboot your system when this process finishes in order to get the data recovered after fixing the issue.

Method 3. Recover and Repair Corrupted Excel Content with Software

If none of the above-mentioned workarounds work for you, you can use professional Excel repair software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. It is designed to recover lost and deleted photos, documents, videos, and audios. Besides, it can repair damaged Excel files, Word documents and MP4 videos. Follow the steps to recover and repair damaged Excel files:

Step 1. Select a location to start finding corrupted Excel files

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and then scan the corrupted or damaged Excel files.

Step 2.  Scan for the corrupted Excel document

Find the damaged files through the filter, file path, search, etc.

Step 3.  Repair and save the Excel file to a secure location

Double-click the corrupt excel file, and this program will automatically repair corrupted and damaged Excel files. Click "Recover" to save the repaired Excel files to a safe location.

Conclusion

If you are faced with Excel found unreadable content error, don't worry. There are many ways to repair Excel files and recover lost data. EaseUS Excel repair and recovery software is my recommendation. With it, you can not only restore Excel files but also repair damaged Office files with simple clicks.