Why isn't my spreadsheet working?
If you're having trouble opening or using one of our spreadsheet resources, here are two common issues and how to resolve them:
You're seeing the error "File format or file extension is not valid"
This often happens when a spreadsheet created in Microsoft Excel is opened using a different program, such as Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, or even an older version of Excel. Because our spreadsheets are formatted for the English version of Microsoft Excel, opening them in another program can sometimes cause compatibility issues and trigger error messages.
To avoid this issue:
- Open the file using Microsoft Excel (English version), preserving all formatting and functionality.
- If you don’t have Excel, you can still access the file using Google Sheets:
- Go to Google Sheets.
- Click File in the top menu.
- Select Import.
- Choose Upload, drag the file into the window, or select it from your computer.
- Once uploaded, the file should open and display correctly.
Opening the file in Apple Numbers or an older version of Excel may cause formatting issues or errors. We strongly recommend Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
The file won’t open or it downloads as a .zip
If the spreadsheet isn't opening properly, or if the file downloads as a .zip
, it's likely due to how the file is packaged or saved.
To fix this:
- Move the
.zip
file into a folder on your computer, such as Downloads, Documents, or Pictures. - Right-click on the
.zip
file and select “Extract All…” to unzip it. - Open the extracted folder and look for the
.xlsx
file. - Open this file in Microsoft Excel, or view it in Google Sheets using the import steps above.
Still not working?
If you've followed the steps above and the file still isn't opening:
- Make sure the file ends in
.xlsx
. - Try downloading it again from the Resource Library.
- If possible, open it using the latest version of Microsoft Excel (in English).