Are you trying to open an Excel file in WhatsApp? Many users regularly encounter this issue because WhatsApp doesn't directly support Excel files. Therefore, you can't transfer Excel contact files to WhatsApp due to unsupported file structure, missing spreadsheets, or device compatibility issues. These are the main reasons why users can't open Excel files in WhatsApp and prevent you from working with these files within the app. This also creates problems when securely sharing contact information stored in Excel via WhatsApp.
Export contacts from Excel to WhatsApp and open XLS/XLSX files easily
Why can't I open Excel files in WhatsApp?
In today's digital world, WhatsApp is becoming the best platform for building connections, and it allows you to send Excel files as attachments, but it does not have a built-in viewer to open XLS files or display their contents. This issue can be caused by various reasons.
Here's why:
Device compatibility issues
Different versions of iOS and Android may handle file access differently, and some older or limited-feature devices may not be able to open files directly from messaging apps like WhatsApp.
The file format is not supported
Even if you have a spreadsheet viewer, your Excel file may be in an unsupported format. This can happen if: you created the file using an older version of Excel; or the file contains calculations, macros, or complex formatting that the mobile app cannot support.
File corruption
During upload, download, or file transfer, especially if your network connection is unstable, your Excel file may become corrupted. Although the corrupted file appears in WhatsApp, it may not open or may display an incomprehensible error.
Can't open XLS/XLSX files in WhatsApp - Try the two best solutions
If you're having trouble opening Excel files on WhatsApp, you're not alone. This issue occurs because Excel files aren't directly supported by WhatsApp. So, if you can't open Excel files on WhatsApp, try these two reliable methods:
Method 1: Can't open Excel file in WhatsApp - Advanced solution
If your Excel file contains contact information that you need to import or use in WhatsApp, you'll need to convert the Excel file to another file format that's more compatible with WhatsApp. For that, you need a reliable tool like SysTools Excel to vCard Converter, which is fully supported on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp .
Here are the steps to use the above software:
- Install the software listed above.
- Use the tool to browse for the XLS file.
- Preview the map columns with vCard fields.
- Select the file version (2.1, 3.0, 4.0).
- To create a new file, select Convert.
Note: Currently, you can't import VCF files directly into WhatsApp, as the import requires a few more steps.
- Click to open WhatsApp.
- Choose to import the vCard into your contacts.
- Finally, you can open Excel files on WhatsApp easily and safely.
Key features of using advanced solutions:
● Easily convert Excel data to WhatsApp in a better file format compatible with WhatsApp.
● You can open large Excel files efficiently in WhatsApp and even convert thousands of contacts at once.
● It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and secure, fast processing tools that run without internet access.
Method 2: Manual method to open Excel files in WhatsApp
This method is useful if your goal is to view the contents of a spreadsheet file received on WhatsApp.
Here are the steps:
- Install the Excel app on your device.
- Tap to open WhatsApp and go to the chat where the Excel file was sent.
- Click on the file to download it.
- Select a spreadsheet app installed on your phone.
- View the file as needed.
- Finally, you can easily open Excel files in WhatsApp.
Disadvantages of the manual method:
● These manual methods only work for viewing content and do not support importing contact data.
● If you are unable to open Excel files in WhatsApp, you will need to install an external app, which may not be available to all users.
● If your Excel file is corrupted or incompatible, WhatsApp will not be able to open it and you will lose access to your important data.
Summary time
In the guide above, we have explained two unique and different methods that you can use if you are unable to open Excel files in WhatsApp. Using these two methods, users can easily and hassle-free open Excel files or contact files in WhatsApp. Choose the appropriate method that suits your needs and find the right solution.