5 Ways To Fix Excel File Not Opening In Protected View

Are you having trouble opening an Excel file in Protected View? This feature is designed to protect your computer from potentially malicious files, but it can be frustrating when it prevents you from accessing important data. In this article, we'll explore five ways to fix Excel file not opening in Protected View, so you can get back to work without delay.

When an Excel file is opened in Protected View, it's usually because the file has been flagged as potentially malicious or has been downloaded from an untrusted source. While this feature is intended to protect your computer, it can sometimes be overly cautious. If you're certain that the file is safe, you can try the following methods to open it in normal view.

Method 1: Enable Editing

One of the simplest ways to open an Excel file in normal view is to enable editing. When a file is opened in Protected View, you'll see a yellow bar at the top of the screen with the option to "Enable Editing." Clicking this button will allow you to edit the file, but it won't remove the Protected View restrictions entirely.

To enable editing, follow these steps:

1. Open the Excel file in Protected View.
2. Click the "Enable Editing" button at the top of the screen.
3. If prompted, click "Yes" to confirm that you want to enable editing.

Method 2: Add the File Location to the Trusted Locations List

If you frequently work with files from a specific location, you can add that location to the Trusted Locations list in Excel. This will allow you to open files from that location without Protected View restrictions.

To add a file location to the Trusted Locations list, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel and go to the "File" tab.
2. Click "Options" and then select "Trust Center."
3. Click "Trust Center Settings" and then select "Trusted Locations."
4. Click "Add new location" and enter the file path of the location you want to trust.
5. Click "OK" to save the changes.

Method 3: Disable Protected View for Specific File Types

If you're working with a specific type of file that's frequently flagged as potentially malicious, you can disable Protected View for that file type. This will allow you to open files of that type without restrictions.

To disable Protected View for specific file types, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel and go to the "File" tab.
2. Click "Options" and then select "Trust Center."
3. Click "Trust Center Settings" and then select "Protected View."
4. Uncheck the box next to the file type you want to disable Protected View for.
5. Click "OK" to save the changes.

Method 4: Use the "Open and Repair" Feature

If an Excel file is damaged or corrupted, it may open in Protected View. In this case, you can try using the "Open and Repair" feature to fix the file and open it in normal view.

To use the "Open and Repair" feature, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel and go to the "File" tab.
2. Click "Open" and then select the file you want to repair.
3. Click the "Open" button and then select "Open and Repair."
4. Follow the prompts to repair the file.

Method 5: Disable Protected View Entirely

If you're working in an environment where you need to open files from untrusted sources, you may want to consider disabling Protected View entirely. However, this should only be done if you're certain that the files you're working with are safe.

To disable Protected View entirely, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel and go to the "File" tab.
2. Click "Options" and then select "Trust Center."
3. Click "Trust Center Settings" and then select "Protected View."
4. Uncheck the box next to "Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet."
5. Click "OK" to save the changes.

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Excel File Not Opening in Protected View Image Gallery

We hope this article has helped you fix the issue of Excel file not opening in Protected View. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below, and don't forget to share this article with others who may be struggling with the same issue.