The Multi-file recovery wizard runs inside the main window and has 3 steps.

Results

This shows the results of the recovery for each file and helps you open them with MS Excel. The list box has two columns:

• Output file: The new file created containing the recovered data.
  
  
• Result: If the recovery for a particular file was successful this field will show "OK". If you select the file and you click on [Open] the file will be opened with MS Excel. If the recovery failed, the cause of the failure will be shown in this column and the [Open] button will not be available.

If the resulting file cannot be opened

In some cases MS Excel shows an error when trying to open the recovered file. This indicates that some part of the corruption has passed through ExcelFIX's filtering system, causing the new file to be corrupt as well.

ExcelFIX tries to recover the largest possible amount of MS Excel elements (images, formats, fonts, links, formulas, shared cells, etc). Each new element makes the recovery more complex, increasing the possibility of having a new and undetected corruption. Each element must be read, parsed, and filtered. Only when the relationships with other elements are checked and the inconsistencies are removed, can the element be saved. ExcelFIX must understand each element in the same way MS Excel does but improve the reading to avoid a corruption.

The recovery engine of ExcelFIX adds new types of corruption that can be corrected in the same manner anti-viruses add new types of viruses to their databases. It is rare that a corrupt element bypasses the filtering system but it can occur. If an unknown corruption piece is affecting your output file, the recovery questions topic can help you solve the problem with ExcelFIX. If you cannot solve the problem please contact our technical support team making a support request . Remember that you have access to free technical support. All requests are answered within the hour, in most cases within minutes during office hours.