5 Fixes For Excel Preview Not Working In Outlook

Experiencing issues with Excel previews not working in Outlook can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to view spreadsheets quickly. Whether it’s for reviewing reports or simply accessing data without opening the application, a preview feature is incredibly handy. In this guide, we’ll explore five effective fixes that can help you troubleshoot and resolve the Excel preview problem in Outlook.

1. Update Outlook and Excel

Keeping your software updated is crucial for maintaining compatibility and functionality. Both Outlook and Excel are frequently updated to fix bugs and enhance performance.

How to Check for Updates:

• Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Click on File > Office Account.
  3. Select Update Options > Update Now.

• Excel:

  1. Open Excel.
  2. Follow the same steps as in Outlook to check for updates.

After applying the latest updates, restart both programs and check if the preview issue has been resolved.

2. Change File Association Settings

Sometimes, the default file associations can be misconfigured, preventing Outlook from correctly previewing Excel files. Ensuring that Excel is set as the default program for .xls and .xlsx files can solve this issue.

How to Change Default Programs:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.
3. Locate the .xls and .xlsx file types and select Microsoft Excel from the options.

After making these changes, try opening an Excel file in Outlook again to see if the preview function is working.

3. Disable Add-ins

Sometimes, third-party add-ins can interfere with Outlook’s functionality. Disabling these add-ins can help determine if they are the cause of the Excel preview issue.

How to Disable Add-ins:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click on File > Options > Add-ins.
3. At the bottom of the window, in the Manage box, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
4. Uncheck any add-ins that you suspect might be causing issues and click OK.

Restart Outlook and check if the preview is functioning correctly.

4. Check Trust Center Settings

The Trust Center in Outlook manages settings related to security and privacy. Sometimes, settings in the Trust Center can prevent file previews from functioning correctly.

How to Adjust Trust Center Settings:

1. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Trust Center.
2. Click on Trust Center Settings.
3. Select File Block Settings and ensure that the file types for Excel (like .xls, .xlsx) are not checked.

Adjust these settings, click OK, and restart Outlook to see if this fix resolves the preview issue.

5. Repair Office Installation

If none of the above solutions work, repairing your Office installation can help. This process will fix any corrupted files that might be causing the preview issue.

How to Repair Office:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2. Locate your Microsoft Office installation, select it, and click Change.
3. Choose Quick Repair first. If that doesn’t solve the issue, follow up with Online Repair (requires an internet connection).

Repairing your Office installation can take some time, but it’s a robust method for solving issues across all Office applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Forgetting to restart Outlook after making changes.
• Not having the latest updates installed.
• Assuming third-party add-ins are safe when they might cause issues.

By following these five fixes, you should be well on your way to resolving the Excel preview issue in Outlook. Remember to always back up important files before making significant changes to your settings.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why is my Excel preview not working in Outlook?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>It could be due to outdated software, incorrect file associations, disabled add-ins, or issues with the Trust Center settings.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How can I check if my Office programs are up to date?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Open Outlook or Excel, go to File > Account > Update Options, and select Update Now.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What should I do if repairing Office doesn't fix the preview issue?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Try checking your Trust Center settings or disabling any add-ins that may interfere with functionality.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is it safe to disable add-ins?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, disabling non-essential add-ins is generally safe and can help determine if they are causing issues.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Recapping the key takeaways, you have learned the importance of keeping your software updated, how to configure file associations, and the role of add-ins and Trust Center settings in Excel preview issues. In addition, the method to repair your Office installation has been highlighted as a last resort when all else fails. Don’t hesitate to practice these troubleshooting steps and explore further tutorials on managing Outlook features and enhancing your experience with Excel.

<p class="pro-note">🌟Pro Tip: Regularly update your Office applications to avoid issues like the Excel preview not working in Outlook!</p>