How can I repair my corrupted Microsoft Access database files or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files?

Because database and spreadsheet programs use extensive formatting codes, normal disk recovery programs are often unsuccessful in recovering damaged files. For this reason, staff at the Indiana University Bloomington Support Center walk-in locations will not attempt to recover damaged spreadsheet or database files. However, the following resources may enable you to recover such files:

• To repair files created with Access 2010, see Help prevent and correct database file problems by using Compact and Repair.
  
  
• To repair files created with Excel 2010, see Repairing a corrupted workbook.
  
  
• To repair files created with Access 2003 or 2002, see Microsoft Help and Support article 283849.
  
  
• To repair files created with Excel 2002 or later, see Microsoft Help and Support article 820741.

For help with file recovery in other Microsoft products, search Microsoft Help and Support for your product name and a phrase such as damaged file or corrupt disk .

Search Microsoft Help and Support.

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