Problems Exporting Google Spreadsheets to Excel

Google Spreadsheets is a useful tool and a convenient alternative to Microsoft Excel. The "Download as" option in the Google Spreadsheets "File" menu allows documents to be exported to a variety of formats, including XLS (Excel format). Despite the many similarities between the two platforms, some users have reported problems exporting Google Spreadsheets to Excel format.



As is often the case when trying to resolve software issues, troubleshooting this problem may require some trial and error. Nevertheless, you can take some relatively straightforward steps to overcome some of the common issues with the Google Spreadsheets "Download as" function.

• 1

  Open the Google Spreadsheets file you wish to export to Excel. You must be signed into your Google Docs account to do that.

• 2

  Download the Google Spreadsheets file to your computer. To do this, go to the Google Spreadsheets "File" menu, and click on "Download as." Select the option "Excel." A file with the same name as your Google Spreadsheets file should download to your computer browser's Downloads directory. (The location depends on your browser settings.)

  If the file downloaded and downloaded properly, you should be able to open it in Microsoft Excel. If the file failed to download, you may receive the Google Spreadsheets error message, "Oops! Export to .xls failed."

• 3

  Clear your Internet browser's cache if the file didn't download, didn't download properly or can't be opened in Excel. A quick and easy way to do this is to refresh your browser while holding the "Shift" key on the keyboard. After the browser cache clears, you may repeat the download process by going to the "File" menu, clicking on "Download as" and selecting Excel as the format.

• 4

  Copy the Google Spreadsheets file if using "Download as" fails or the downloaded file does not open in Microsoft Excel. To make a copy, click on the "File" menu and select "Make a copy." You will be asked to enter a name for the new copy of the document. Enter a file name, and then click on "OK." At that point, you are working on a new spreadsheet identical to the original, and you may download the new version of the file in Excel format by selecting "Download as" from the "File" menu.

• 5

  Send yourself the Google Spreadsheet file that won't download via "Download as."

  To send yourself the file, click on the "Google Docs" logo to return to the main Google Docs page. Then locate your spreadsheet from the list of documents. Click on the check box to the left of the spreadsheet's file name. Next, click on the "Share" button above the file list. Then, from the drop-down menu, select "Email as attachment." The "Email as Attachment" window will pop up. Under "Attach item as," select "Microsoft Excel." In the "To:" box, enter your email address. Then click on "Send." Check your email inbox one or two minutes later; the Excel version of your spreadsheet should be attached to a new email.