How to Fix Excel Cannot Open the Specified Excel File Error

“Every time I try to open a hyperlink in my Excel file it says "cannot open the specified file" Even though the path is correct, the file type matches, and almost everything seems okay. What would be the problem?” – From Quora

When you're trying to open a link and it keeps saying "cannot open specified file hyperlink excel" it's frustrating. Even if the file path is right and everything seems okay, it's hard to know why it's happening. Is the file broken? Is the link not working? It's confusing, especially when you need to access the file quickly for an important project.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the common reasons why users encounter the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error and provide you with practical solutions to fix the issue.

Part 1: Why Cannot Open the Specified File Excel Hyperlink?

The "Excel cannot open specified file" error can occur when you try to open an Excel file or a hyperlink within an Excel file. Here are a few factors that can trigger the error:

• Corrupted Excel File: If the Excel file you are trying to open is corrupted, Excel may not be able to read the file correctly, leading to the "cannot open the specified file" error.
• Incorrect File Path: If the file path or location of the Excel file has been modified or moved, Excel may not be able to locate the file, resulting in the "cannot open the specified file" error.
• Problematic Hyperlink: If the hyperlink within the Excel file is not functioning properly, Excel may not be able to open the linked file, causing the "cannot open the specified file" error.
• Incompatible File Type: Excel may not be able to open the file if it is not in a compatible format, such as a non-Excel file type.
• File Security Settings: If the Excel file has restricted access or security settings, Excel may not be able to open the file, leading to the "cannot open the specified file" error.

Part 2: How to Fix Excel Cannot Open the Specified Excel File Error

When you encounter the "Excel cannot open specified file" error, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. Here are some things you can try:

Fix 1: Fix Corrupt Excel File with Repairit

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If the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error is caused by a corrupted Excel file, you can use a reliable file repair tool like Wondershare Repairit to fix the issue. Wondershare Repairit is a powerful data recovery and repair software that can help you recover and repair various types of corrupted or damaged files, including Excel files.

Wondershare Repairit can analyze the file, identify the corruption, and repair the Excel file so that it can be opened and accessed again. This fix is important because it directly addresses the root cause of the issue - the corrupted file itself.

By using Wondershare Repairit, you can effectively fix the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error caused by a corrupted Excel file.

To use Wondershare Repairit to fix a corrupted Excel file:

Step 1: Open the Wondershare Repairit application to begin the file repair process. On the main dashboard, switch to the “More Types Repair” tab and select the "File Repair" option.

Step 2: Click on the "+Add" button and navigate to the corrupted Excel file you want to repair.

Step 3: Once the Excel file is added, click on the "Repair" button to begin the repair process.

Step 4: After the repair process is complete, you can preview the repaired file and hit the “Save” button to save it to a new location.

Fix 2: Disable the "Update Links on Save" Feature

Another potential solution to the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error is to disable the "Update Links on Save" feature in Excel. This feature can sometimes cause issues with hyperImage names, leading to the "cannot open the specified file" error.

Step 1: Open the Excel file with the error, click on "File" and choose "Options" from the left menu. Then, go to the “Advanced” tab in the Settings window.

Step 2: Scroll down to the "General" section and select “Web Options”.

Step 3: In the Web Options window, switch to the “Files” tab. Uncheck the "Update links on save" option. Once done, click on "OK" to save recent changes.

After disabling the "Update Links on Save" feature, try opening the Excel file again to see if the cannot open the specified file error has been resolved. Disabling the "Update Links on Save" feature in Excel can help resolve issues related to problematic hyperlink within the file.

Fix 3: Rename the File and Remove the Hash Sign

If the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error is related to a problematic file name or file path, you can try renaming the file and removing any hash signs (# or %23) from the file name.

To rename the file and remove the hash sign:

Step 1: Locate the Excel file that is causing the "cannot open the specified file" error. Right-click on the file and choose “Show More Options”, then select "Rename".

Step 2: Remove any hash signs or special characters from the file name.

Step 3: Hit "Enter" to save the new file name. Try opening the renamed file in Excel.

By renaming the file to a simpler, more straightforward name, you ensure that the file path and location are not causing the problem.

Fix 4: Edit Hyperlink and Link to the Renamed File Location

If the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error is related to a problematic hyperlink within the Excel file, you can try editing the hyperlink and linking it to the new file location.

To edit the hyperlink and link to the renamed file location:

Step 1: Get the new file's address from File Explorer. Open Excel and right-click on the hyperlink name.

Step 2: Select "Edit hyperlink" from the menu.

Step 3: Open the “Edit Hyperlink” window, switch to “Existing File or Web Page”, replace the old filename in the address box with the new one, click "OK", and then test the hyperlink for errors.

This fix is important because it directly addresses the root cause of the problem - the incorrect or broken hyperlink. By updating the link to the correct file path, you can ensure that Excel can successfully open the linked file.

Part 3: Tips to Avoid Common Excel Errors

To prevent the "Excel cannot open the specified file" error and other common Excel issues, here are some tips you can follow:

1. Regularly Backup Excel Files: Regularly save your Excel files to a safe place like an external hard drive or cloud storage. This helps you get your files back if they are lost or damaged.
2. Use Secure and Descriptive link: Avoid using special characters or hash signs in your Excel file names, as they can sometimes cause issues with file paths and hyperlinks.
3. Keep File Paths Short and Simple: Keep the file paths for your Excel files short and simple. Long or complicated paths can cause errors when opening files.
4. Disable Automatic Updates and Link Synchronization: Consider disabling the "Update Links on Save" feature in Excel to avoid issues with hyperlinks, as mentioned in the previous section.
5. Scan for Malware and Viruses: Regularly scan your computer for malware and viruses, as they can sometimes corrupt Excel files and cause the "cannot open the specified file" error.

Conclusion

The "Cannot open the specified file excel" error can be a frustrating issue, but with the right solutions, you can easily resolve it. In this article, we have explored the various causes of the error and provided you with effective fixes, including using Wondershare Repairit to repair corrupted Excel files, disabling the "Update Links on Save" feature, renaming files and removing hash signs, and editing hyperlinks to point to the correct file location.