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3rdrockgraphics
Inspiring
March 30, 2019
Answered

Cannot place .xlsx file in InDesign

  • March 30, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 7668 views

Trying to place a simple .xlsx file into InDesign and get the attached error message. What the heck?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer 3rdrockgraphics

    3rdrockgraphics  wrote

    I can only open in Google docs myself. I don't have Excel. I'm on a Mac and don't have Office.

    Hi

    If you don’t have Excel, how did you open it and convert it to .csv?

    When you converted it to .csv, did you keep it as a text only file? Or accidentally save again in another native format? A .csv is text only and can’t hold any formatting at all. That’s another thing to double-check.

    I also have a Mac. Office 365 can be put on 5 devices and it’s okay to mix Windows and Mac.

    Jane


    I converted it to .csv using google docs just to see if maybe it was a problem with the .xlsx. It wouldn't even give me the option to place it. Weird thing that I'm using the same CC version on my Mac at work (well, I think it's the same version, anyway since we use CC) and it places .xlsx files created with Google docs just fine since I do it all the time at work. Not sure why the one at home doesn't work. Could it be the OS? Using High Sierra here at home and Mojave at work.

    UPDATE: I just tried resaving and renaming the same file using 365 (a friend has it) and it places fine. The frequency I would need Office 365 just doesn't warrant the $ to spend on it, really (even tho it's cheap, I know). I'd say maybe 5x a year I need it.

    I also just tried using zamzar online to convert the xlsx customer sent to xls and THAT worked too.

    I guess I'm all set! Thanks to everyone for all their help!

    3 replies

    A
    autumnm87027890
    Participant
    September 29, 2020

    You just saved my life in 2020 with the zamzar online resource. I've been looking for like an hour for a solution to this same issue. I also don't use any Office programs frequently enough to justify buying it. Anyway, thank you from the future. 2020 is garbage but you just made it a little better.

      Naisyo523
      Naisyo523
      Participant
      July 2, 2021

      Same here! Converting the .xlsx file to .xls with zamzar online worked for me and saved sooooooooo much time. THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

       

      I made .xlsx with google doc then convert it into .xls.

       

      inDesign 2021 v16.2.1

      Mac BigSur v.11.4

      3
      3rdrockgraphicsAuthor
      Inspiring
      March 30, 2019

      Ok I just tried ANOTHER xlsx file and THAT one worked! Could it be a certain version of Excel like a really old one might cause this problem?

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 30, 2019

      3rdrockgraphics  wrote

      Ok I just tried ANOTHER xlsx file and THAT one worked! Could it be a certain version of Excel like a really old one might cause this problem?

      Hi

      A really old version of Excel would be .xls. They changed the format in 2007 and renamed the extension to .xlsx. The older .xls files should also work.

      ~ Jane

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 30, 2019

      Was the file actually created in Excel or another application and saved as Excel?

      3
      3rdrockgraphicsAuthor
      Inspiring
      March 30, 2019

      According to my customer, it was created in Microsoft Office Excel. I tried converting to a .csv file and InDesign won't even recognize it. I just tried to import another .xlsx file that I know for a fact was created in Microsoft Office Excel and it gives me the same message.

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 30, 2019

      Is this happening with all InDesign files or just this one? If it’s just this one, export it to IDML and try with that. If it’s all of them, then try resetting your preferences.

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