Knowledge Base

Changing File Block settings to enable old Excel file types to be opened as normal

When you try to open file types created in previous versions of Office (like an Excel 95 spreadsheet for example), the file will open in Protected View by default, and the editing functions will be disabled.

File Block prevents outdated file types from opening as normal. Instead, it either causes the file to open in Protected View, and disables the Save and Open features. Or, if your File Block settings are set to Do not open selected file types, the file won't even open in Protected View, and instead an error message appears.

This article describes how to change Excel File Block settings to ensure that selected old file types are opened as normal by Excel.

Important:
Take care! The Protected View security feature is considered important, as the code used to open and save older file formats may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Protected View opens potentially dangerous files, without any security prompts, in a restricted mode, to help minimize harm to your computer. By disabling Protected View, and allowing old versions of files to open as normal, you could be exposing your computer to possible security threats.

 

Changing File Block settings to enable old Excel file types to be opened as normal

To change File Block settings to enable old Excel file types to be opened as normal, proceed as follows.

  1. Open Excel and, from the menu ribbon, click File.

The File tab opens.

  1. In the left-hand navigation pane, click Options.

The Excel Options page opens.

  1. In the left-hand navigation pane, click Trust Center. Then click the Trust Center Settings button.

The Trust Center page opens.

  1. In the left-hand navigation pane, click Protected View to see the Protected View options.

Important:
Take care! Protected View opens potentially dangerous files, without any security prompts, in a restricted mode, to help minimize harm to your computer. By disabling Protected View, you could be exposing your computer to possible security threats.

  1. To disable Protected View, and stop files from opening in Protected Mode, untick all three checkboxes:
    1. Enable Protected View for files originating from the internet,
    2. Enable Protected View for files located in potentially unsafe locations,
    3. Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments.
  2. In the left-hand navigation pane, click File Block Settings.

The File Block Settings options appear.

  1. To stop Excel from blocking selected Excel file types, then untick the following checkboxes:
    1. Excel 95 Workbooks,
    2. Excel 4 Workbooks,
    3. Excel 4 Worksheets,
    4. Excel 3 Worksheets,
    5. Excel 2 Worksheets,
    6. Excel 4 Macrosheets and Add-in Files,
    7. Excel 3 Macrosheets and Add-in Files,
    8. Excel 2 Macrosheets and Add-in Files.

Important:
Take care! Unticking checkboxes in the Open column will stop Excel from blocking files of the selected file type. Earlier, in Step 5, you ensured that files would not open in Protected Mode. Therefore, by unticking these checkboxes too, the selected file types will open as normal, with no protection enabled. You could be exposing your computer to possible security threats.

  1. Click OK.

Older versions of Excel file types will now open, and may be edited and saved, as normal in your version of Excel.