How to open file in Excel

Jay Young 20 Reputation points
2026-11-02T13:42:51.78+00:00

Hi,

I am looking to download/open a file in excel, but it only allows me to click on it to open in word. But it won't open in word either. I have tried going to default programmes and changing the default setting that way but excel does not come up as an option. I have tried the resetting all apps function and restarting my laptop but it still does not come up.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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AI answer

2026-11-02T13:44:22.4233333+00:00

A .pbix file must be opened in Power BI Desktop, not Excel or Word, because it is a Power BI report containing report pages, a data model, queries, and visuals—not an Excel workbook.^1^

Open the file

  1. Install Power BI Desktop from the Microsoft Store or the official Power BI download site.
  2. Save the .pbix file locally. If clicking its download link does not work, right-click the link and select Save link as or Save target as.^1^
  3. Start Power BI Desktop.
  4. Select File → Open, browse to the downloaded .pbix file, and select Open.^2^

Do not rename the file to .xlsx; changing its extension does not convert it into an Excel workbook.

Set Power BI Desktop as the default

After installing Power BI Desktop:

  1. Right-click the .pbix file in File Explorer.
  2. Select Open with → Choose another app.
  3. Select Power BI Desktop.
  4. Enable Always use this app to open .pbix files, then select OK.

If more than one Power BI Desktop edition is installed, Windows associates .pbix files with the edition installed most recently. You can bypass that association by opening the required Power BI Desktop edition first and then using File → Open.^3^

If the file is encrypted and still will not open, install the latest Power BI Desktop version because older versions that lack information-protection support cannot open encrypted PBIX files.^4^

References

  1. What are Power BI samples
  2. Shape and combine data in Power BI Desktop
  3. Install Power BI Desktop for Power BI Report Server
  4. Troubleshoot Power BI Desktop startup
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  1. DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-02T14:18:14.8666667+00:00

    Download that file to your PC.

    Right click the file and select Properties.

    Please provide a screenshot of the resulting Properties dialog box.

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