Excel .xlsb files don’t open on excel for iPad

Question

Excel .xlsb files don’t open on excel for iPad

Marcelo Thiollier 0

Hello, I’ve been using Excel for iPad (via Office 365) to open .xlsb files without issues until December 2024. Since January 2025, neither .xlsb files nor .xlsx files converted from them open properly on my iPad. I’ve tried:

Reinstalling the Excel app
Converting .xlsb to .xlsx on desktop
Opening via OneDrive and Excel Online

None of these methods work. The same files open fine on desktop Excel. This suggests a recent update to Excel for iPad may have introduced a compatibility issue.

Could anyone confirm if this is a known issue and whether a fix is planned?

Thank you,

1 answer

Your answer

Answer 1

Alina-Le 1,120 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Good day @Marcelo Thiollier

Welcome to Q&A forum!

As I have searched for this issue, xlsb (Binary Workbook) files are not fully supported across Excel platforms. Historically, Excel for iPad could open them with some limitations, but recent updates may have deprecated or further restricted this support.

To assist you further, I’d recommend trying some workarounds:

Rebuild the File

Sometimes, converting .xlsb to .xlsx still carries over hidden binary elements. Try this:

Open the .xlsb file on desktop Excel
Copy all content (Ctrl + A → Ctrl + C)
Paste it into a brand new blank .xlsx workbook
Save and upload this new file to OneDrive
Try opening it on your iPad

This avoids any hidden binary formatting that might be causing the issue.

Use Excel Online

Open Safari on your iPad
Sign in and open Excel Online
Try opening the .xlsx file there

It’s not as smooth as the app, but it may let you view and edit the file until it's fixed.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Marcelo Thiollier 0 Reputation points

2025-07-22T12:05:15.8933333+00:00

Thank you for the reply. As I mentioned, I tried saving the file in previous excel extension. It did not work, which is quite awkward. Of course, opening the file in safari web excel it does work but this solution in fact does not solve full support for excel’s app for iPad. In reality, it means that since January 2025 Microsoft no longer support its own excel app in iOS. Also, we are now 7 months down in the year and Microsoft has not address the issue and it doesn’t seem it will do so.
Alina-Le 1,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-22T15:12:36.5266667+00:00

Good day @Marcelo Thiollier

Thank you for your update. I truly appreciate your efforts and understand the inconvenience you've experienced in this situation.

May I confirm whether you’re able to rebuild the file following the steps I’ve provided?

Additionally, I completely understand your disappointment. In this case, I sincerely recommend visiting Feedback community to explore similar feedback and vote for the ones that resonate with you. Alternatively, you can submit your own suggestions through the Ideas Community

Our product team actively monitors these platforms, and feedback with higher votes receives more attention. Many features and improvements are driven directly by customer input, so your voice truly matters.
Marcelo Thiollier 0 Reputation points

2025-07-22T16:59:00.4566667+00:00

Thank you for your reply. Yes I did try. It just doesn’t work. What I don’t understand is how Microsoft has not fix this problem for over 6 months (files .xlsb before January 2024 worked fine). IOS (iPhone and IPad) is a de facto mobile OS with billion of users. Microsoft advertises its office products fully work in IOS or IPad OS. To not even make it possible to save as .xlsb in previous extension in workable fashion is really bad. I use IPad as my main computer as many do. Hope Microsoft will fix this with IPad OS 26
Alina-Le 1,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-24T07:26:42+00:00

Have a nice day @Marcelo Thiollier

I totally get that this situation is uncomfortable for you and for many other users experiencing the same issue.

As a forum moderator, I’m doing my best to find the most helpful answers to support you. However, there are certain issues that fall under the responsibility of the production team, and unfortunately, I’m unable to take further action on those.

Hope for your understanding and If I discover any alternative solutions for this case, I will try to return to assist you.
Marcelo Thiollier 0 Reputation points

2025-07-24T13:14:55.48+00:00

Thank you so much
Alina-Le 1,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-24T14:58:01.2466667+00:00

Hi @Marcelo Thiollier I appreciate your kindness. If you still have any concerns or questions, we are always here to support you!
Alina-Le 1,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-30T14:54:45.74+00:00

Have a nice day @Marcelo Thiollier

Just want to inform that you can reach out to me again if you still have any concerns related to this issue

In the meantime, I’ll be helping others on the forum, but if you need a faster reply, just tag me in your message and I’ll jump in directly.

If my information is helpful to you, it will mean a lot if you could click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. The response will be highlighted at the top, making it easier for others in our forum to quickly locate the information they’re looking for.

Be safe and happy,
Marcelo Thiollier 0 Reputation points

2025-07-31T13:13:21.88+00:00

Thank you. Do you know if Microsoft is working to fix the problem? I can’t understand that in a world of AI and mobile one can’t open an excel spreadsheet on an iPad. Tks
Alina-Le 1,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-31T13:43:26.2533333+00:00

Hi @Marcelo Thiollier

There is still no update on this issue yet, but I will try to keep you informed if I have more information.

Thank you so much for your understanding and kindness in this matter.

Share via

Excel .xlsb files don’t open on excel for iPad

1 answer

Your answer