Since this weekend the formatting goes away in my old .xls files

Warren R 0 Reputation points
2026-09-22T11:53:36.6966667+00:00

MS Excel 2019.

Since college in 1997, I have been a user of MS Excel.

You changed something in Excel. I always saved my files in .xls so they would be compatible with my old computer that is not online.

Since this weekend:

I open a spreadsheet and make changes. I save the file. when I re-open it, ALL MY FORMATTING GOES AWAY.

Not just the cell colors, but also the merge and center, the alignment, the cell formatting for $'s, everything.

As I said already, everything worked the way it always did until this weekend.

I cannot even copy an old page and change the data. That loses its formatting too.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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  1. Warren R 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-03T13:09:26.4433333+00:00

    Sorry, My original reply was for another problem.

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  2. Xavier-D 13,855 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-23T06:38:35.64+00:00

    Hello Warren R,

    I understand why you are frustrated, especially since these same .xls files worked correctly until this weekend. You are also right that simply suggesting .xlsx does not explain a sudden change in previously working files.

    Before testing further, please make backup copies of the affected files and avoid saving over the originals.

    Please try this controlled test:

    1. Press Windows key + R, enter excel /safe, and press Enter.
    2. Open a copied .xls file, make a small formatting change, save it under a new name, and reopen it.
    3. If the formatting remains in Safe Mode, an Excel or COM add-in is likely interfering with the save process.
    4. If the formatting is still removed, try File > Open > Browse, select the copied workbook, select the arrow beside Open, and choose Open and Repair.
    5. Also test a newly created .xls file saved to a local folder. This will help determine whether the problem affects every .xls file or only the older workbooks.

    Please also provide the exact version shown under File > Account > About Excel, including the full build number, and confirm whether Windows or Office installed an update shortly before the problem began. That information is needed to check whether the behavior is tied to a particular update.

    If the problem affects newly created .xls files as well, use Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps, locate Microsoft Office 2019, select Modify, and run Online Repair.

    Feel free reply back to this post and update me on this issue, I'll be happy to help.

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  3. Warren R 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-22T15:40:51.79+00:00

    I am still checking on this problem using another computer with MS Office 2021. It may take a while, I do not spend much time on my computer these days.

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  4. AI answer

    2026-09-22T11:53:52.31+00:00

    This usually points to the workbook being saved in a file format that does not preserve all Excel formatting and features.

    Key facts:

    • Excel Workbook .xlsx preserves worksheet and chart data, formatting, and other features.
    • If a workbook is saved in another file format, some formatting and data can be lost.
    • Older or alternate formats have feature and formatting differences.

    What to do:

    1. Open the workbook in Excel 2019.
    2. Use File > Save As.
    3. Save the working copy as Excel Workbook (.xlsx).
    4. Reopen that new .xlsx file and confirm whether merge and center, alignment, colors, and currency formatting remain.

    If the file must stay compatible with older Excel versions, run the compatibility check before saving:

    1. Go to File > Info > Check for Issues > Check Compatibility.
    2. Review any compatibility issues Excel reports.
    3. Keep the main editing copy in a newer format, and only save a separate compatibility copy when needed.

    Also note:

    • Some features and formatting might not be available when saving in an earlier Excel format or another spreadsheet format.
    • If the workbook is being saved to text, CSV, SYLK, or web page formats, formatting and many worksheet features are lost.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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