microsoft excel perviewer error

microsoft excel perviewer error Microsoft Excel Previewer Error: How to Troubleshoot and Resolve the Issue
Introduction:
Microsoft Excel is a widely used spreadsheet software that allows users to organize, manipulate, and analyze data. However, like any other software, Excel can occasionally encounter errors that might hinder its functionality. One common error that users may come across is the "Microsoft Excel Previewer Error." In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.
Step 1: Understanding the Error:
The first step in resolving any error is understanding its nature. In the case of the "Microsoft Excel Previewer Error," it usually occurs when trying to preview an Excel file within the file explorer or another application. Instead of seeing a preview of the file, users may encounter an error message stating, "This file cannot be previewed because of an error in the Microsoft Excel previewer."
This error can be frustrating, especially if you rely heavily on previewing Excel files before opening them.
Step 2: Checking for Software Updates:
Outdated software can often lead to compatibility issues and errors. To ensure that the "Microsoft Excel Previewer Error" is not due to an outdated version of Microsoft Excel or the file explorer application, it is important to check for software updates. Launch Microsoft Excel and navigate to the "File" tab. Under "Account" or "Help," you should find an option to check for updates. If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it.
Step 3: Verifying File Associations:
Another potential cause of the error could be incorrect file associations. File associations determine which software should be used to open particular file types. To verify the file associations for Excel files, right-click on any Excel file and select "Properties." In the Properties dialog box, navigate to the "General" tab and check the "Opens with" section. Ensure that Microsoft Excel is the associated program. If not, click the "Change" button and select Microsoft
Excel from the available options. Apply the changes and try previewing the file again.
Step 4: Clearing the Thumbnail Cache:
Thumbnail cache is a feature that stores small preview images of files to improve performance when browsing through folders in the file explorer. Corrupted thumbnail cache could lead to the "Microsoft Excel Previewer Error." To clear the thumbnail cache, open File Explorer and navigate to the "View" tab. In the
"Show/hide" section, check the "Hidden items" box. This will display additional folders and files. Open the folder named "AppData" (AppData) and go to the "Local" folder, followed by "Microsoft" and then "Windows." Locate and delete the "Explorer" folder. Restart your computer to apply the changes. Now try previewing an Excel file to see if the error persists.
Step 5: Disabling Protected View:
Excel has a feature called "Protected View" that safeguards against potentially malicious files downloaded from the internet or other external sources. While this feature is vital for security purposes, it
can sometimes interfere with the preview functionality. To disable Protected View, open Microsoft Excel and go to the "File" tab. Click on "Options" and select "Trust Center" from the left-hand menu. In the Trust Center settings, click on "Protected View" and uncheck all the options related to protecting files from the internet or other sources. Save the changes and try previewing a file again.
Step 6: Repairing Microsoft Office Installation:
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is advisable to repair the Microsoft Office installation. Open the "Control Panel" and navigate to the "Programs" or "Programs and Features" section. Locate Microsoft Office from the list of installed programs and select it. Click on the "Change" button at the top and choose the option to repair Microsoft Office. Follow the prompts to initiate the repair process. Once complete, restart your computer and try previewing an Excel file.
Conclusion:
Encountering errors while using Microsoft Excel can be frustrating, especially when it hampers the functionality of the software.
However, by following the step-by-step guide provided above, users can troubleshoot and resolve the "Microsoft Excel Previewer Error." From checking for updates to repairing the Microsoft Office installation, these steps will help ensure a smooth Excel experience without any preview issues.。