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I got an Excel file, actually it's a zip file which contains many folders and files including sheets in XML format. When I try to open it, Excel 2003 says "The file is not in a recognizable format"

I've uploaded to Google Documents, Google recognized the format then I've saved as Excel 2003.

I've already installed Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack.

I renamed .xls to .zip then unzipped the content. Below are the unzipped folder content:

xl

Content_Types.xml 

docProps        

_rels

How can I open that Excel File?

Download: excel.xls

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I just renamed .xls to .xlsx and Excel does open the file. – Nime Cloud Jun 28 '11 at 12:59

2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

I expect this is new Office 2007 and higher format - so called OpenXML. I would try to change the zip extension (are you sure the extension is "ZIP"?) to "xlsx" and then try to open. You did not tell us your Office version, but I think Google Docs can handle this format, same with free LibreOffice. :-)

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Yes, I renamed .xls to .zip then unzipped the content. – Nime Cloud Jun 28 '11 at 12:55
I just renamed .xls to .xlsx and Excel does open the file. – Nime Cloud Jun 28 '11 at 12:59
Nime, if this is the solution, please mark as answered. – music2myear Jun 28 '11 at 14:32
It seems Excel 2003 (with Compatibility Pack) relies on file extension instead of file content. xls for Excel 2003, xlxs for 2007+ – Nime Cloud Jun 29 '11 at 6:43
Nime, this is common in Windows. Many programs do not open supported file if it does not have the right extension, – Juhele Jun 29 '11 at 7:44
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If you are running an older version of Office then you'll need to download the Compatibility Pack from Microsoft.

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