How to Fix "File in Use” Error in Excel 2007

Amy Dennis

Aug 04, 2023 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

Microsoft Excel is rightly considered as one of the top-ranked spreadsheet software packages in the world. It is packed full of features and is utilized by both office workers and domestic users alike. While most people use it for simple tasks like invoice making and payroll, it is used for data analysis and manipulation as well. Excel files have two main file extensions that it uses namely, the .xls and the .xlsx. However, there are other file extensions as well that are utilized by the software. 2007 Excel files are considered among the most stable of all excel files and utilize the .xlsx file extension.

Overview of "File in Use" Error in Excel 2007

Excel files are usually very reliable but can sometimes display all sorts of error messages. The ‘file in use’ error in Excel 2007 is one example of this. The full version of this error message is "File in Use" error opening Excel 2007 Files on the network”. This error message is usually displayed when an excel 2007 file on a network that is already being accessed by someone is accessed by another user. This results in the generation of this error message.

If the user continues to try to access the excel 2007 file despite getting the ‘file in use’ error message then it can lead to excel file corruption. Therefore, one has to be very careful in accessing excel files that are present on a network. If you can’t access the excel file immediately then you should wait for your turn. When the user already accessing the excel file gets finished working on it, only then should you attempt to access that excel 2007 file.

Part 1: Free Download Excel Repair Tool

If your excel file has encountered a ‘file in use’ error then there is nothing you can do except to make use of an excel repair tool to fix this error message. There are a lot of such tools available on the internet. However, most of them don’t live up to their promise and can’t fix excel file in use error in a comprehensive manner. Such tools are unreliable and shouldn’t be trusted for performing this task. Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair is arguably the most competent excel repair tool out there that can effectively fix excel file in use error.

Microsoft Excel Repair Tool

• Recovers all kinds of data stored in damaged excel files such as tables, charts, formulas, comments, images, etc.
• Restore all of your corrupted excel files to their original standing.
• Preview the repaired excel file in real-time, see how much of the file has been recovered as it is being repaired.
• All kinds of MS office corruption errors (for XLS and XLSX files only) can be handled with this tool.
• This excel file repair tool can be used on both Windows and Mac platforms to repair corrupt excel file.
• All kinds of MS office corruption errors (for XLS and XLSX files only) can be handled with this tool.
• This excel file repair tool can repair damaged files of all versions from 2000 to 2016 that includes 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, etc.

Download Windows Version Download Mac Version

 

Part 2: How to Fix "File in Use" Error in Excel 2007

This step-by-step tutorial has been devised to offer the users of Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair the chance to get to know how it can be used to fix excel file in use error.

Step 1 Searching the corrupt Excel files from the local drive, by clicking either one of the following three buttons, ‘Select File’, ‘Select Folder’ and ‘Search File’.

Step 2 The list of searched files display in the result section, select multiple files start to repairing process.

Step 3 Previewing corrupt excel files from the left-hand side of the software’s main window.

Step 4 Select a local drive to save the repaired Excel files.

Corruption of excel files is never a good thing. If you want to prevent the corruption of excel files then following these simple tips is a good option for you.

• Always remember that ejecting the external hard disk during an excel file transfer can be damaging to the excel file. So, make sure that you never do that.
• Get a good antivirus software program installed on your PC as soon as possible. It will keep the bugs and viruses at bay and ensure your system’s safety.
• Regularly format your hard disk so that no bad sectors are allowed to form on it.

All in all, Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair is an excellent excel repair tool that is uniquely qualified to fix excel file in use error. It can get this job done in no time at all.