6 Fixes for Excel File Keeps Closing Automatically

Q: The Excel spreadsheet keeps closing itself while I'm working on it and also when it is open while working in another window. When I re-open it, a message says an error is causing the problem. I click on the Repair Now button this activity does not keep the spreadsheet from auto-closing every few minutes. Why does my Excel close automatically? I have lost several worksheets due to the unexpected auto shutdown.

The problem with Excel closing automatically after opening may be due to a conflict. Usually, the conflict may start within the program itself, or with a third-party item that is associated with it. What's more, if you look further at other Microsoft Office suites, the problem is hugely pointed to the installation of Microsoft Office and the Windows operating system.

If your Microsoft Excel file keeps closing automatically due to the manner of 'copy and past', 'save (as) a file', or just after opening, it is probably because Excel has a crash problem. Here, you can get 5 fixes to get rid of the issue.

Fix 1. Repair Corrupted Excel Files (Protect Your Excel Data)

When Excel automatically closes as soon as it is opened, some data is likely damaged. In this case, try to fix the damaged Excel files using EaseUS document repair tool. This software enables you to repair corrupted Word, Excel, and PPT from Microsoft Office 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, & previous versions. 

EaseUS Fixo allows you to repair multiple Office files at a single time. Moreover, it can fix corrupted Excel files and repair text, hyperlinks, forms, etc. It can also handle common Excel cases, such as Excel content not visible. Now, download this file repair toolkit for free to fix any corrupted Excel files quickly. 

Step 1. Download and launch Fixo on your PC or laptop. Choose "File Repair" to repair corrupted Office documents, including Word, Excel, PDF, and others. Click "Add Files" to select corrupted documents.

Step 2. To repair multiple files at once, click the "Repair All" button. If you want to repair a single document, move your pointer to the target file and choose "Repair". You can also preview the documents by clicking the eye icon.

Step 3. Click "Save" to save a selected document. Select "Save All" to save all the repaired files. Choose "View Repaired" to locate the repaired folder.

Fix 2. Check the Compatibility Issues of MS Office and Windows 10

First and foremost, you should recall two things that may help you figure out when and what causes the crashing problem. [1] What is the version of the Excel application currently installed on your PC? [2] Did you update your Windows 10 system recently? Is the date happening to be the day the Excel file starts closing automatically?

If you've done either of the things here, you should ask yourself: Is this version of Excel compatible with Windows 10? For an older version of Excel, like before 2013, even if you are not subject to the stability issue right now, we still recommend you turn to the new version to be able to run on Windows 10.

To resolve the incompatibility issue of Excel and Windows 10, except for using the newer version of Excel, you can also try to run the present Excel in Windows Compatibility Mode taught by Microsoft Support.

Make older apps or programs compatible with Windows 10

Fix 3. Repair MS Office

When your Excel starts experiencing issues like crashing, freezing, not responding, and, like now, closing itself automatically, you should be very careful when creating a new file because the file will be completely in danger of losing content. We advise you to have a check on Word. See if the same problem happens to Word or another Office Suite, like PowerPoint. If yes, then it's sure about the Microsoft Office issue and it needs repair.

• Open Programs and Features in the Control Panel using a direct way: 

Press the Windows +R keys, type appwiz.cpl, and click "OK".

• Locate "Microsoft Office" among the list, right-click on it, and choose "Change".

• Select "Quick Repair" and click the "Repair" button.

Fix 4. Disable COM Add-ins

The COM add-ins are bad when editing a large Excel file. It consumes memory a lot and easily causes general issues in the Excel file, such as freezing and crashing. So, it's highly suggested to disable add-ins in Excel.

• In Excel, go to "File> Options> Add-ins".
• Choose "COM Add-ins" from the drop-down and click "Go".
• Uncheck all the checkboxes and click "OK".

Fix 5. Disable Conditional Formatting Rules

Did you use the Conditional Formatting Rules on some specific spreadsheets? The Conditional Formatting Rules are based on choosing a different color to highlight or differentiate information storage in a spreadsheet. If you're facing the Excel file closing automatically a few times only in a particular Excel spreadsheet, you can consider not using this feature at the moment to check if the Excel file can work normally again.

• Under "Home", click "Conditional Formatting".
• Choose "Clear Rules".
• Select "Clear Rules from Entire Sheet".
• Close and restart the Excel file again.

Fix 6. Launch Excel in Safe Mode

If the previous four solutions are not in line with your case, and you're still in trouble, try to launch Excel in Safe Mode this time. If it's not the problem within the program, it might be some unknown startup processes are interrupting its performance. 

• Press the Windows + R keys to bring up Run.
• Type excel.exe /safe and hit Enter.

How to Recover Unsaved Excel Files After Automatically Closing

Data loss is the most direct consequence brought by the problem - Microsoft Excel file closing automatically. The good side is that Microsoft Office has the ability to save your draft while editing in a recoverable folder. The autosave feature is usually turned on by default, unless you have disabled it by yourself, it's likely that you can recover an unsaved Excel file from the auto-recovery folder.

To recover unsaved Excel files from AutoRecover:

• Open a new Excel file in Windows.
• Click "File > Open > Recent Workbooks".
• Then check the recently used Excel document and find the unsaved file due to a sudden Excel close.

• Click "Recover Unsaved Workbooks" and wait for the program to recover your closed Excel file.

• On the new pop-up window telling you that there is a recovered file that is temporarily stored on your computer, click "Save As" to store the Excel as a new file in a safe location on your PC.