[dwehrs]

I have a ".xls" file that somehow has become damaged. This file was made using the Mac version of Microsoft Office. When I select Open > File the preview pane in Apple's Finder is showing my file!

But I can't get the whole thing in the preview pane ....

Any tips on repairing this file whether it's a software or a "via e-mail" type of service. This is a very important file that has not been backed up (I know! )

I have found a ton of "xls" file repair programs for windows but I don't have access to a windows computer.

I tried to import it into Google Docs and into Zoho to see if either of those would get at the data, no luck. I even tried to open the raw text string in my text editor, nothing there ...

The file says 39kb and I know it has not been wiped because the preview pane in finder is showing part of my file!

Any help? Thank you SO much in advance. - David

[Cold Warrior]

Have you tried opening Excel and then using Excel to open the file, i.e, from Excel's File menu, choosing Open?

[philm]

I have solved this problem a couple of times by opening the file in NeoOffice. It just opened OK, and I could 'Save As' the file and it worked OK in Excel.

The other method I have had success with is starting a new spreadsheet and using a formula to bring in the data from your damaged file. So, for cell A1 in Sheet 1 of the empty spreadsheet, you would have the formula:

=[filename.xls]Sheetname!A1

where filename.xls is the damaged file and 'Sheetname' is the name of the first sheet in that workbook. You would simply copy and paste this formula to populate the rest of the sheet. Repeat for any other sheets.

How practical this is depends on the complexity of your damaged spreadsheet. If it's just one sheet, it should be easy.