7 Ways to Fix “We Found a Problem With Some Content in Excel” Error

Ever been stopped in your tracks by the ‘We found a problem with some content in Excel‘ error message? This annoyance can appear without warning, often when you’re deeply engaged with your spreadsheets. Identifying the right fix can be a hassle, given the multitude of potential causes.

But fret not! In this guide, we look into the most frequent culprits of the said error and offer detailed, step-by-step remedies for various situations where this problem might arise.

Keep reading to discover how to get back to your work with minimal disruption.

Why ‘We Found a Problem With Some Content in Excel’ Error Occurs?

Before learning how to fix ‘We found a problem with some content in Excel‘ error it’s crucial to know reasons behind its occurrence. So, you can solve it accordingly.

Here are some of the common cause:

1. Corrupted data – If any data in your Excel file gets corrupted, such as formulas or formatting, it can result in logical errors. Malware or missing headers can also corrupt your Excel document.
2. Application malfunction – Excel errors may occur if MS Excel itself is corrupted or if third-party plugins are malfunctioning.
3. Broken links – Old links in Excel file pointing to removed or renamed entities can cause link-related issues.
4. Other issues – Problems with system storage or security applications may prevent Excel from loading documents.

Fixing the ‘We Found a Problem With Some Content in Excel’ Error with 4DDiG File Repair

To efficiently tackle the ‘We found a problem with some content in Excel‘ issue, 4DDiG File Repair stands out as one dependable solution. This tool eliminates the need for manual interventions by automatically rectifying a variety of Excel errors, including those stemming from severe corruption. It’s capable of retrieving content from spreadsheets that appear garbled or damaged.

Features offered by this tool:

• Repairs Office files that are corrupted, damaged, or unreadable, including Excel files.
• Recovers tables, formulas, charts, pivot tables, and more to their original state.
• Addresses issues with Excel spreadsheets that fail to open or show distorted content.
• Supports numerous Excel file formats, such as .xlsx, .xlsm, among others.
• Ensures quick scanning and boasts a high rate of success.
• Compatible with various Excel versions, from older editions to the latest.

Follow these steps to fix the error using 4DDiG File Repair:

1. Download and install 4DDiG File Repair on your computer and launch it. Click “File Repair” and select “Add File(s)” to add the Excel file in question.



2. After your Excel file is added, hit “Start Repair” to initiate the scanning for errors.



3. Once the scan and repair are complete, click “View Results” to examine the repaired Excel file or files. If satisfied, select “Export” to save the fixed file to your computer.

Alternatives Ways to Fix The Error

In addition to utilizing 4DDiG File Repair, several manual techniques can be employed to fix the ‘We found a problem with some content in Excel‘ error, depending on the nature of the problem. If the issue isn’t overly complex, you might find success with one of the following six solutions:

1. Use the Open and Repair Feature

The error can appear due to minor glitches or inconsistencies in the workbook. Such issues could arise from interruptions during file saving, transferring, network problems, or slight corruptions.

Excel’s built-in “Open and Repair” function is designed to automatically identify and resolve these minor issues, thereby restoring access to the workbook.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Launch “Excel“, go to “File” and select “Open“.
2. Click “Browse“, locate the folder with the Excel file showing the ‘Excel, we found a problem with some content‘ error, and select it. Use the dropdown arrow next to “Open” and choose “Open and Repair“.



3. If this approach is successful, save the corrected file under a new name to preserve the original.

2. Switch Calculation Options to Manual

The automatic calculation feature in Excel can sometimes trigger the error, especially if the application freezes or struggles with a complex formula being calculated automatically.

An easy workaround for the ‘Excel, we found a problem with some content’ error is to disable automatic calculation.

To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open “Excel“, navigate to “File” and select “New” to create a new blank workbook.
2. Then, return to “File” and choose “Options“.
3. Click on “Formulas” and under “Calculation options“, change from “Automatic” to “Manual“. Click “OK“.
4. Go back to “File” and select “Open” to try accessing the problematic Excel worksheet again. Check if it opens without the ‘We found a problem with some content in xlsx‘ error.

3. Create a New Excel Document

Occasionally, the error might also be due to altered settings or compatibility issues within a specific worksheet. This situation can be frustrating as it prevents access to vital data. A straightforward solution is to copy the affected data into a new Excel document.

Here’s a simple guide:

1. Open the problematic Excel file, select the necessary content, and use Ctrl + C to copy it.
2. Navigate to “Menu“, select “File“, and then choose “New” to create a new Excel sheet.
3. Paste the copied content into the new worksheet using Ctrl + V, then save it in a new location under a different name.

4. Disable Links and External References in the Excel File

Issues with external links or references, especially those that have been removed or renamed, can trigger the ‘Excel, we found a problem with some content‘ error. Removing these links can solve the problem.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Excel file in question, go to “Data“, and then “Edit Links“.



2. A dialog box will appear, listing all links in your workbook. Identify the ones you wish to edit or delete.
3. To modify a link, click “Change Source” and locate the new source file. To remove a link, select it and click “Break Link“. After making the necessary changes, close the window and save your Excel document.

5. Open Excel File in Safe Mode

A potential culprit for the error is a problematic third-party add-in. Safe Mode can help identify the troublesome add-in by starting Excel with default settings, which disables certain extensions automatically.

To solve it using Safe Mode, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the “Run” dialogue, type excel -safe, and press Enter. Excel will open in Safe Mode.



2. Navigate to “File“, select “Options“, and then go to the “Add-ins” tab.
3. Choose “COM Add-ins” from the dropdown menu and click “Go“.
4. Deselect all checkboxes and click “OK“. Restart Excel and re-enable add-ins one at a time until you encounter the ‘Excel, we found a problem with some content‘ error again. Remove the problematic add-in.

6. Open Excel File in Another Program

Opening the error Excel file in an alternative spreadsheet application like Google Sheets can be a workaround. Google Sheets may correct minor errors within the file and also enables you to edit tables directly in your browser or save the Excel file as an XLSX document.

If the problematic Excel file functions correctly in Google Sheets, it’s possible that the file association settings in Windows are incorrect, which could be causing the issue.

Conclusion

The ‘We found a problem with some content in Excel‘ error can severely disrupt your workflow, potentially causing loss of data or work stoppage. Our suggested seven solutions aim to address and resolve this issue effectively.

For a comprehensive solution to all Excel file issues, including severe corruption or unreadable files, consider using 4DDiG File Repair. It offers a high success rate in fixing Excel files that are not opening or are displaying content incorrectly, and it supports both older and newer versions of Excel.