Trying to export a Report to Excel. 'Excel cannot open the data file' error message. No problem with exporting .CSV file. How can I fix this?

This does NOT work for me. I have the same problem but the reboot did not solve it.

Hi, @JoyCornerstone.

Thanks for trying over the steps provided above. Allow me to step in for a moment and help fix the error you're getting when exporting reports from QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) to Excel.

To start off, let's update your QuickBooks to the latest release. This will help you download the changes, improvements, and fixes that were made to QuickBooks. Here's how:

1. Go to the Help menu at the top, then pick Update QuickBooks Desktop on the drop-down.
2. Select the Update Now tab, then check the box next to Reset Update.
3. Click Get Updates.

For your reference, you may visit this article: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. Next, let's run the Verify and Rebuild utility. This tool will fix any errors it can find and notify you of anything that needs to be manually corrected​.

To run the Verify and Rebuild utility, here's how:

1. Go to File menu at the top, then pick Utilities on the drop-down.
2. Select Verify Data.
3. Once done, go back to Utilities, then click Rebuild Data.

You can also check out this article for further guidance: Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop. Once done, try to export your report again to Excel. If you're still getting the same results, you can repair QuickBooks Desktop to fix program-related issues or errors.

That should get you fixed right up! But if the issue persists, please let me know so we can try other steps to get this working. I'll be here if you need further assistance.

I'm having the same issue and none of the above fixes worked. 

Hi westwater, 

Thanks for joining this thread and letting us know about your concern with exporting report to Excel.

Generally, the Excel cannot open the data file error message can be resolved by restarting the computer. However, if the error still persists, the steps given by my colleague @FritzF can do the tricks. 

Since none of the above steps fix it, I'd recommend giving us a quick call. Our support specialists can securely access your account and double-check what's causing this to happen. 

They have the necessary tools, such as a screen sharing session to help determine which additional troubleshooting steps to do specifically to your account. Here's how to reach us:

1. Go to this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. If you're prompted to choose a product, choose QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Pick your QuickBooks Desktop version.
4. Choose Solving Issues & Error Messages, then File & Network Management.
5. Scroll down to the Here's how to connect with a QuickBooks expert page.
6. Click the Get Phone number button.

You should now be able to export your reports to excel again in no time. 

Please update me as to how things go. Rest assured, I'll still be here to help you out! 

Save problem with me too.

I talked to up to LEVEL 2 support who spent a few hours but still, no resolution and the problem still exists.

When I try to email EXCEL file it gives me an attached error message window.

Same problem here - I've restarted, updated and even reinstalled QuickBooks MANY times. I can export from the Online version but not the desktop version. It would be great to resolve this since I use this feature very often. HELP!

Same problem here. I've rebooted, restarted, updated and even reinstalled QuickBooks entirely and I still can't export to Excel. Anyone know what's going on and, more importantly, how to fix it? 

Hi there, @apexhospitality and @Carol Garner.

Thank you for sharing your experience in the Community. Allow me to help share some additional troubleshooting steps to get past this error message and export the report to excel.

When you get this unexpected behavior, it's possible that the program is corrupted or not compatible with QuickBooks. To start, let's make sure that it meets the system requirements for QuickBooks Desktop.

After that, let's try to repair Microsoft Excel to fix possible damaged files. You might have to reach out to Microsoft's support channel for detailed information.

Once done, restart your computer, then open QuickBooks. Please try to export the report again. 

I've also included an article for additional reference: 

• Microsoft Office 2010, 2013, 2016, and 365 FAQ

If you get the same result, I recommend calling our Phone Support to assist you further. They have the tools to determine what's causing the issue and help you get back to business in no time.

Here's how:

1. Go to https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. At the top right, select your product.
3. Select your QuickBooks version.
4. Select a topic.
5. Click on the Get Phone Number button.

That should point you in the right direction today.

Keep me posted how it goes. I'll be here to keep helping you with exporting reports to excel. Wishing you and your business continued success.

Same problem. I happens on a QB-2018 & QB-2017.

I ran the QB repair. I ran MS Office repair. I've not reinstalled QB but considering its happening on two versions it has to be something in the registry

Hi AMAcpa,

We appreciate the troubleshooting steps you've done. Since you're still getting the same error, please contact our Phone Support Team. They will be able to check what's causing this error and help you further.

You can get our contact information by following the steps provided by MaryGraceS.

Feel free to reach out to us if there's anything else you need help with QuickBooks. Thanks.

Updating Excel fixed this problem for me.   

In Excel:

-> File

    -> Account

        ->  Office Updates

             ->  Update Now

Updating Excel fixed this problem for me.

In Excel:

->  File

    ->  Account

       -> Update Options

           ->  Update Now

Hi there, @Jeff Berg.

I appreciate you sharing your inputs here in the Community about fixing the error when exporting a report to excel in QuickBooks Desktop.

This information will surely benefit other users. Also, I have here some articles about exporting MS Excel files in QuickBooks for yout future reference:

• Export option for Excel is grayed out.
• Import or export MS Excel files.

Feel free to post again if you have any questions about QuickBooks or any thoughts you might want to share.

Thank you and wishing you and your business continued success. 

That generally works or me. Look for excel.exe in the details tab and terminate it. It's usually a hung process that prevents QB from opening a new file. Much quicker than rebooting. 

That's what we love to hear, @jlseifert.

With the right tools, any business owner can take charge of their financial reports. I'm thrilled to know that you're able to successfully export your reports to excel. 

Be sure to check out these articles for tips that will make the navigating around QuickBooks even easier: QuickBooks Desktop Help Articles.

You can post anytime if you have questions or want to share your best practices in using the product. Have a great day!

Having the exact same issue with a client 2018 QB desktop Pro.  I've been attempting to export a report to excel and get the message "excel could not open the data file".   Randomly, this started happening about 2 weeks ago.  I've run the update to no avail.

The CVS file will export which I can convert to excel but I don't understand why it's happening randomly.  Been using Excel with QB desktop for years.

I killed so much time over this. I decided to reinstall Windows 10 since I thought I was having other issues.... I wasn't new Window updates were messing my system up, but the Excel export is working. 

Try a Clean Boot https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows,

but when it says to disable all non-MicroSoft office programs, don't uncheck the QuickBooks programs. The either programs have the name Quickbooks under the 'Service Name' or Intuit under the 'Manufacturer' name.

Once you restart from a clean boot, see if export to Excel will work. If it does, then once of the programs you disabled is the cause, which you'll find out as you enable one program grouping at a time - as described in the Clean Boot.

I would do that but this is my client's QuickBooks file I'm working with at their location.  I'm not touching their Windows or uninstalling anything.