Excell file xls can't be opened. Transformed to xml

[joepublic]

Hello,
I have Microsoft Excel 2003 Spanish version. I am from Spain.
I don't know how I have saved my excel file which extension is xls, but everytime I try to opened it invites me to openend as a XML file.

Later Excel can't opened and appear a windows saying "Microsoft excel found a error code: -1072896760" and also says: "it has been found an unvalid character".

Well.. there is no way to open this file. Please, can someone out there help me. I can send you my file per email. I need URGENT this file.

PD. My english is not very good. Explanations must be simple. Thanks
Jose Spain.

 

[Joe Was]

You get that error if the Name you Saved the File with, is not a good one. One of the characters you used, in the name you gave it, cannot be used as a file name!
Use Windos Explorer and re-name the file, something like: Test99.xls

 

[joepublic]

Hello Joe,
I have changed the name of the file. Now it is called gastos.xls, but the error persist.
I don't think this is the solution.

Have you any other idea.??
Thanks

 

[Joe Was]

If you saved the file as a "XML" or used Markup Language in the Workbook you cannot open it as an xls.

From you note I am not clear as to what you did?

It may be that this file cannot be recovered?

 

[joepublic]

Sorry,
I didn't understand you.
I never saved the file as XML.
I always have saved as XLS and rename again as XLS.

What do I have to do?

 

[joepublic]

Please,
Can someone help me?
I still can't open the excel file in "XLS" FORMAT.

 

[tusharm]

There have been some reports that OpenOffice can repair a XLS file that Excel cannot open. Try that approach using a *copy* of your file.

 

[joepublic]

It doesn't work this option.
Any other idea. Thanks.