Open files with _XLS extension quick and easy. 4 steps

It can be very frustrating when you have a _XLS file and you cannot open it. But do not worry, in most cases solution to your problem is very simple. Follow the instruction in steps 1-4 listed below and you should be able to solve your problem and open the _XLS file with ease.

_XLS File Extension

File
  • File type Microsoft Excel Workbook
  • File developer Microsoft Corporation
  • File category Spreadsheet Files
  • File popularity rating
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How to open _XLS file?

_XLS file icon should be displayed in a manner characteristic to the program which supports such file type. If _XLS file icon is of the form of generic blank page icon or similar it means that given format is not associated with any program installed on the system. Below are listed some of the most popular causes of such situation

Check the _XLS file for errors

  • No program that supports _XLS files is installed on the system
  • No program that supports _XLS files is associated with this extension (system registry has no entries related to programs that should be used to open _XLS files)
  • The file is of unknown or unverified origin and is most probably infected. In such case user must exercise extreme caution in order not to allow the virus propagate to other files in the system (follow the instructions displayed in the dialog box in your antivirus software.
  • _XLS file may be incomplete, which will prevent the system from opening it (this could be the case with file downloaded from the internet or copied from other sources)
  • The file is corrupted

How to solve encountered problems?

In order to solve the following problems, follow the instructions:

Step 1. Select, download and install relevant software. The list of programs supporting files with _XLS extension can be found below:

Programs that can open _XLS files

Step 2. Associate software supporting _XLS with this file format

  1. Right-click on the _XLS file
  2. Select "Open with" option
  3. Choose appropriate program from the list and select the location where the program is installed
  4. Confirm your selection by clicking on the "OK" button

Step 3. Scan the _XLS file using an antivirus software

Step 4. Verify whether the file has been properly downloaded from the internet or copied from an external storage medium. If not, then re-download or copy the file again.

In 95% of cases following these steps should solve problems with _XLS files. Sometimes, although rarely, the cause of encountered problems may be different.

Last resort – an IT expert

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Should all the above-mentioned solutions fail to resolve problems with _XLS file extensions, there is one last thing you can do – contact an IT expert. You can also try to contact one of the developers of software that supports _XLS files.

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