What to Do When Excel File is Too Large to Open? Quick Fixes
Does your MS Excel file too large to open or share with others, and you don’t know what to do, then don’t worry. You are on the right page; this write-up is going to explain the top ways, such as manual methods and alternative solutions, for experts to open large Excel files without crashing.
Big Excel files are a common issue while working with large datasets and multiple sheets. The Excel file too large to open; it usually means the file has exceeded Excel’s capacity or your system’s available memory. So do not worry, we will explain why it happens, what manual methods you can try to open large Excel files, and an expert solution to fix problems.
What Are the Reasons to Open Large Excel Files?
Before knowing the methods to resolve issues, it is important to understand to root cause for better knowledge and methods.
- If your Excel file data crosses the limit, then it may crash and not open.
- Also, sometimes blank rows and columns with formatting take unnecessary space.
- Complex formulas, pivot tables, and external links increase file size and slow performance.
- If you are using too many pictures, charts, and objects, then Your Excel file is too large to open issue will appear.
- Also, if your file is already corrupted, then your file will not open. But first check your Excel file for corruption.
What to Do When an Excel File Too Large to Open? Splitting Excel files into multiple worksheets is the best way to fix an Excel file too large to open. This is the only way to prevent your data from corruption and open it. But don’t worry, we have also shared some other working methods, which are explained below:
How to Fix “Excel File Too Large to Open” Issue?
Yes, we can fix this issue manually by opening the file in safe mode, or by splitting into smaller files, removing unnecessary formatting, deleting blank rows and columns, removing Unnecessary Objects, and compressing images.
Let’s start the process to resolve the “Excel file too large to open” issue one by one:
#1: Break Large Excel Files into Smaller Parts
If your Excel file is not opening due to its large size, then download and use the SysTools Excel Splitter Tool. This is the best way to open and divide your large files into smaller parts to manage and access data easily without having any restrictions or crashing situations.
You can split large files by Row, Size, and Sheet according to your choice. Experts prefer this software because it provides advanced features and capabilities, which make it more trustworthy to fix the “Excel file too large to open” issue.
More details are mentioned in the upcoming sections after the manual methods.
#2: Open Large Excel Files in Safe Mode
- Choose the “Win+R” keys.
- Now type “Excel /Safe” and hit the “Enter” button.
- This feature will disable add-ins and other features that are slowing down your Excel file.
#3: Remove Unnecessary Formatting
If your file contains too much formatting, then you have to remove it to make the file easily accessible.
- Select all the cells in the Excel file using the “Ctrl + A” keys.
- Choose the “Home” >> “Clear” and “Clear Formats” options.
#4: Delete Blank Rows and Columns
Sometimes happens when unused and empty rows/columns count as “active data”, so delete them by following the steps to open large Excel files:
- Select the empty and unused cells.
- Right-click on it and choose the “Delete” button.
- And lastly, choose “Ctrl + End” to verify if the file’s last cell is correct or not.
#5: Remove Unnecessary Objects
If your Excel spreadsheet contains unused and unwanted charts, shapes, pivot tables, images, or hidden sheets, because most of the time these things make your file inaccessible, which results in the “Excel file too large to open” issue.
#6: Compress Large Images
If your Excel file contains any images, then compressing them will help you to fix the “Excel file too large to open” issue.
- Open your Excel spreadsheet.
- Choose the image.
- Select the “Compress Picture” from the “Picture Format” option.
- A pop-up will appear, and choose the “OK” button.
Why Should Users Go for an Expert Solution Over Manual Methods?
- Your Excel file must open for manual process to fix the “Excel file too large to open” issue, while the software doesn’t require opening, it can easily work and divide large files without opening them.
- Manual methods contain a high risk of losing data and information, while the software preserves and maintains all details and objects during the process.
- Users can’t fix issues with multiple Excel files, while the software can simply work with multiple data files in bulk at the same time.
- If your Excel file too large to open and you choose manual methods to fix it, then the chances of misplacing or duplicating data increase.
- Users have to repeat the same process again and again for each file, but the software doesn’t require them to follow the process again; you can do it with just one click in one process.
If you are an expert, then go for the software to open large Excel files, because this is the best and reliable method to fix the issue. Also, you can download the free demo version to learn about the features and working steps:
How to Fix the “Excel File Too Large to Open” Issue with the Tool?
- Download and launch the software properly on your system.
- Select the “Split Excel” option from the screen.
- And upload the large data files using the “Add Files” and “Add Folders” options.
- After that, all your files will appear and select the required data files, and choose the “Next” button.
- Choose the “Split Type” according to your requirements and select the destination, and hit the “Split” button.
- Lastly, hit the “OK” icon to finish the process.
- You can access the location of output Excel files by choosing “View Report”, and the location will open automatically.
Final Comment
Handling large Excel files is not an easy task, because due to the large data and objects, your file may become corrupted and become inaccessible. So, this blog has explained the best methods to fix the “Excel file too large to open” issue. If your Excel file is opening but is large, then you can choose the manual methods for a few data files.
And if your Excel file is not opening and crashing due to large files, then you should go for the amazing and expert tool. The mentioned software allows users to split large files and allows them to open large Excel files for better management and easy access. If you have any queries, then we are available for you 24*7 chat support.