The error may appear when you try to open an Excel file received as email attachments or downloaded from unsafe source. This will allow you to edit, modify, and save the Excel workbook without encountering the “Excel cannot access 'xxx.xls.' The Document may be a read-only or encrypted” error message. In such cases, try adjusting the antivirus settings to open the Excel files normally. Now try to open the Excel document and check if the problem is fixed.Ī few antivirus programs block Excel files and other Office documents by opening those in 'read-only' mode.
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