Error: QuickBooks Excel Could not Open the Data File

When software unable to identify installed Excel on the system, this could evoke QuickBooks Excel could not open the data file issue. The error mainly arises when you are trying to Export the Data to Excel or during the upgrade/update of the software.

If the update/upgrade is not successfully done that does not allow you to export to Excel. This type of issue happens when there’s an update done in Microsoft office while QuickBooks Desktop version is not yet updated. An updated version of QuickBooks requires an updated version of Microsoft office and vice versa. The below write-up is compiled with the complete resolutions to fix QuickBooks Excel Not Importing and Exporting issues.

Reasons Behind QuickBooks Excel Could not Open the Data File issue

The issue due to multiple reasons and ends up with the failure issue due to which QuickBooks is unable to export to excel:

• Microsoft Excel may gets damaged
• Improper working of the File Registry
• It is also possible when the QuickBooks software gets damaged or corrupted.

Methods for the Resolution of QuickBooks Excel Could not Open the Data file issue

Try to implement the below methods to easily get rid of the error. Let’s proceed with one after one:

Method 1: Update QuickBooks Software

Whenever you Export Excel, Always make sure that QuickBooks Desktop is up-to-date. If not updated then you can follow the below steps:

• In the Beginning, Select the Reports Menu and Try to Open List of Report
• Next, Select the Excel option and Confirm that the all the Export options Available Including Excel
• If you are Still Facing Difficulty then Try Another Method.

Method 2: Verify the System Requirements of QuickBooks

It is always important that QuickBooks Desktop is compatible with every particular Microsoft Office version. In any case, the MS Office Version is not collaborative then it is necessary to Upgrade Your Software. Try the Next Solution if the Error still Continues to Pop up.

Method 3: Fix Microsoft Office

The above two Methods Don’t Resolve the issue then let’s Proceed with the steps to Repair Your MS Office in different Windows Versions if Necessary.

Windows Vista 8.1, 8, 7

• Initially, Press the Windows key or go to the Windows Start Button
• Next, Find the Control Panel or Simply type Control Panel within the Search Bar
• And then Go to the Programs in the Control Panel
• Now, Hit the Uninstall a Program and then move to the Excel (office product) Which you Wish to Repair.
• Once Done with that then Click on the “Change” Tab.
• Move to the Online Repair or Repair option later Hit the Repair Tab.
• And then click Continue
• Apply all the Instructions that Appear on Your Screen to End the Process.

Windows 10

• To Start with Pressing Windows Start Button from Your Console
• Choose the MS Office Product Which you want to Repair and then Hit Modify
• After that, Move to the Online Repair or Repair option
• And then Click on the Repair and then Continue Tab
• Proceed the on-screen Instructions to Complete the Process.

After you are done with the Process, Try to Export a Report. If the error still Continues then go to the Next Method.

Now, Let’s check Whether Office Click-to-Run or MSI-based with the Helps of below Steps:

• First, Try to launch any MS Office Software like Outlook or Word
• Next, Go to the File and then Choose an Account or Microsoft Office Account
• If you see an “Update” option then Click the option called “Click-to-Run Installation“
• But if it is not visible then you can Understand that Your Office has an MSI-based Install and Accordingly, You have to do the Process.

Method 4: Verify the Software Compatibility with the Microsoft Excel

In this method, You are required to upgrade QuickBooks and make sure to have Windows 10 installed on your system.
To upgrade the QuickBooks software, follow the below steps:

• In the very First Step, You have to Login to the QuickBooks using the Appropriate Credentials like Username and the Password should be Correct.
• If you want to Buy the Recent QuickBooks Version then Download it on Your System.
• After that, Complete the Setup and Uninstalled Preinstalled Process to Prevent from a Technical Glitches
• In the End, You need to Install the Upgraded QuickBooks Version.

Method 5: Toggle Windows User Accounts Controls (UAC)

Turn Windows UAC Settings on and off. If anything restricts the Export Feature then you need to Reset the Export Feature.

● Press Windows Start Button and type User Account Control Settings in the Search Tab
● It will open User Account Control (UAC) Settings
● Drag Your Mouse to Select the option “Never Notify“
● Finally, Click Ok and Try to Restart Your PC.

After implementing the above steps, Try to Export a Report to Excel once again. If it still gives you an error then Move to the Next Method.

Method 6: Try to Reinstall QuickBooks

Before you reinstall the software, Make sure that you have installed Microsoft Office and Excel on your system. If you have not installed then before then install them and perform the process of Uninstall and Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.

Here the article completes! And hope that it helps you to fix the issue “QuickBooks Excel could not open the data file” and allow you to export your report once again. It is only a suggestion that you just make sure that you have not left any of the Transaction forms including purchase order, Invoice, and Sales Order during exporting the file and report to excel.

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