Excel: Fix “The Server Properties in This File Cannot Be Displayed” Error Quickly!

Are you frustrated with the Excel “Eror: the server properties in this file cannot be displayed”? Well, this is a common error reported by many Excel users. Luckily, numerous methods can help you to resolve it effectively. In this guide, you will learn how to fix Excel the server properties in this file cannot be displayed error with less effort to restore your Excel file access.

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Something About Eror: The Server Properties in This File Cannot Be Displayed in Excel

This specific error generally occurs when trying to access/update a shared Excel document hosted on a server or cloud. However, it appears due to various unexpected reasons, such as:

  1. Excel file corruption
  2. Insufficient allowed permissions
  3. Faulty Excel add-ins
  4. Incorrect file format or extension
  5. A corrupted or damaged Microsoft Office.

Now, it’s time to know the possible solutions to get rid of this annoying message.

Methods to Fix Excel the Server Properties in This File Cannot Be Displayed Error

Let’s explore ways to diagnose and fix the problem.

Method 1- Change a Default Excel Format

The very first solution you can try is opening the file with a different file or extension. To change the Excel default file format, follow the below steps:

  • In the opened Excel document, go to the File menu >> click Options. 
  • Under the ‘Excel Options’ window, in Save workbooks section, click on a Save files in this file format: 
  • Choose a supported file format and click OK.

Save the File with a Different File Type

Also Read: Fix ‘Excel Cannot Open the File Because the File Format or File Extension Is Not Valid’ Error!

Method 2- Repair the Corrupted Excel Document

In MS Excel, various errors and issues occur due to file corruption. In such a case, you can opt for Excel’s built-in “Open and Repair” utility. It allows you to repair the corrupted Excel file and solve Eror: the server properties in this file cannot be displayed.

To run this feature, you have to:

  • Close all the Excel files >> Open Excel.
  • Go to Open >> In the dialogue box that opens, click on a Browse to select a corrupted Excel file that is showing this error.
  • Now, click on a small drop-down arrow next to the Open 
  • Lastly, click Open & Repair >> Repair.

Eror: the server properties in this file cannot be displayed

In case, this built-in feature fails to fix the file corruption, you can opt for the versatile Excel Repair Software. It is designed with an advanced algorithm to repair all sorts of damages, corruption, and errors in the Excel file. To try this tool, click on the link given in the download box below.

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Method 3- Disable the Excel Add-Ins

In most of the cases, it has been seen that the corrupted Excel add-ins is the actual culprit. To fix such issues, disable these add-ins by following the below instructions very carefully:

  • Launch Excel >> click “File” menu.
  • In the left panel, click on the “Options”.

Last Time You Opened It Caused a Serious Error

  • Under “Excel Options”, select “Add-Ins”.
  • In the “Manage”, you have to select “Excel Add-ins” >> click on “Go”.

COM Add-ins

  • Now, turn off the add-ins one by one & see if the problem is resolved.

Method 4- Use the Web Version for Excel

Another option that you can try is opening & sharing the file via the web version for Excel to see if the server properties in this file cannot be displayed error message persists. Occasionally, using the web version can offer a smoother experience.

Method 5- Edit the Excel File Permissions

If you’re encountering this error due to permission issues, try changing the group permission settings of the Excel document. To do so:

  • Locate & right-click on the file that won’t open >> click Properties.

Eror: the server properties in this file cannot be displayed

  • Under the file properties dialog box, click the Security tab >> Edit button >> Add
  • After this, click on an Advanced button from the ‘Select Users or Groups’ window.
  • Choose Find Now. This will open the list of all users & groups >> Choose Everyone group from a list and hit OK.
  • You can see the ‘Everyone’ group in the ‘Enter the object names to select’ textbox. Click OK.
  • Click Everyone from the Group or user names: box and check all the checkboxes under Allow.
  • Click on Apply>> OK.

Now try to open the Excel file.

Method 6- Fix Excel the Server Properties in This File Cannot Be Displayed Repairing the Microsoft Office

Last but not least, a corrupted Microsoft Office can also trigger this error. You can fix this by repairing the Microsoft Office files. For this, you have to:

  • Close all running Office programs.
  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Click Programs, then Programs and Features.
  • Select Microsoft Office. Right-click it and click Change.

Programs and Features

  • Select between Quick Repair and Online Repair. Then, click Repair.

Repair

  • This repair process may take some time.
  • When done, check your Excel program and files for the error.

Also Read: Solve “Microsoft Excel Cannot Access the File” Error!

Unique FAQs:

How to Enable Properties in Excel?

To enable properties in MS Excel, navigate to File >> Info >> View and edit the properties. Under a properties dialogbox, click on tabs to choose the properties you want to view or update.

How Do I Unblock Properties in Excel?

To unlock properties in Excel, make right-click on the file >> choose Properties from a context menu. At the bottom of a General tab, choose the Unblock checkbox >> select OK.

Time to Conclude

Do try the above-mentioned fixes in this tutorial to troubleshoot this annoying message. All the methods are well-tried & tested that can help you to overcome Excel the server properties in this file cannot be displayed error.

That’s all…!



Priyanka is a content marketing expert. She writes tech blogs and has expertise in MS Office, Excel, and other tech subjects. Her distinctive art of presenting tech information in the easy-to-understand language is very impressive. When not writing, she loves unplanned travels.