How to Fix When Excel Cannot Open or Save Any More Documents

Written by

Mel Jenkins

Reviewed by

Laura Tsitlidze

Last updated on February 10, 2023

This tutorial discusses some ways to fix the “cannot open or save any more documents” error in Excel.

 

save error example

 

Check File Security

If your file came from a different computer and you were either sent it via email or downloaded it from the internet, it might be blocked due to its security settings.

  1. Close your Excel file, and then navigate to the file in the Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click on the file and choose Properties.
  3. Select the General tab and then make sure the check box next to Unblock is checked.
    (If you do not see this checkbox, the file did not come from another computer, and this property isn’t available.)

 

save error unblock file

 

  1. Click OK to apply the setting.

Change Excel Security Settings

Check that protected view is not enabled as this too can sometimes cause this error.

  1. In the Ribbon, go to File > Options and click Trust Center.
  2. Click Trust Center Settings…

 

save error trust center settings

 

  1. Select Protected View and make sure that all the checkboxes are unchecked in the Protected View section.

 

save error trust center

 

  1. Click OK.
  2. Restart Excel for the settings to take effect.

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