Why do I see Excel cannot open the file because the file format or file extension is not valid

What file format do you mean?

I'm exporting an .xlsx file out of a report the same as I've done before without one hitch ever. 

ALERT

Excel cannot open the file 'MAINT.xlsx' because the file format or file extension is not valid. Verify that the file has not been corrupted and that the file extension matches the format of the file

Much appreciated!

It's exporting out of QBO as an excel file (.xlsx) to my desktop. From there, when I launch that file with Excel I get that error message

wow, thanks.  where is this?    

1. Repair the file with Excel’s inbuilt repair tool.

I'll gladly share additional information about repairing a Microsoft Excel file, Paul.

The method for accessing the repair tool differs based on your operating system.

If you are using Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start button in the lower-left corner and choose Apps and Features from the pop-up menu.
2. Choose the Microsoft Office product that requires repair and then choose the option to Modify.
3. If you have an Office Click-to-run installation or an MSI-based one, you will be presented with different options to initiate the repair process. Just follow the instructions that correspond to your specific installation type.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the repair.

For Windows 11, here's how:

1. Right-click the Start button (lower-left corner) and choose the Installed apps option from the menu that appears.
2. Choose the Microsoft Office product that you wish to repair, then click on the three dots and select Modify.
3. Depending on the type of Office installation you have (Click-to-run or MSI-based), you will be presented with different options for proceeding with the repair. Please follow the specific steps for your installation type.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the repair. 

Also, my colleague has updated her answer with the detailed steps.

Additionally, here is an article you can read to help you in exporting lists and other data: Export reports, lists, and other data from QuickBooks Online.

Feel free to click the Reply button below if you have questions about exporting data in QuickBooks Online. I'm always here to help. Have a great day.

I have the same issue and none of these steps are working or the steps are not matching what I see. I am on a Macbook. I do not get the option to select properties or to change permissions. I have not changed the file extension. I download directly from QBO without changing anything in the file name. So is this a QBO issue or a microsoft issue?

Lauren, your comprehensive and detailed explanation of your concern is greatly appreciated. Accessing your exported Excel file is crucial to maintaining progress in achieving your objectives. Please know I'm here to help and want to ensure I provide you with the necessary support to achieve your desired outcome. 

As you mentioned, you don't have the option to select properties or change permissions. Just to confirm, have you attempted to right-click on the Excel file? This may provide additional options and functionalities which can aid in resolving the issue at hand. If you haven't, I recommend following the troubleshooting procedures mentioned by my peer Rasa-LilaM above to change group permissions.

On the other hand, if you've performed the steps mentioned but still don't have an option, I'd encourage you to contact our Live Support Team. They have the resources to conduct a screen-sharing session allowing them to examine and further investigate your inability to access your Excel file downloaded from QuickBooks Online (QBO). You can check out their support hours to determine their availability.

Our committed live customer service team is prepared to support you throughout this process, lauren. Navigating file management can sometimes be challenging, and I want to ensure you have all the assistance you need. If you have any further questions or concerns about managing your files effectively, share them with me by leaving a comment below. Your inquiries are important to us, and we are here to provide clear and helpful answers.