We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

My Excel spread sheet documents are converted to pdf, that is bad, how do I prevent this?

spruit
spruit
more options

When I use FireFox Browser to open My excel spread sheet documents, they open in preview, and are converted to pdf. In the PDF format they can NOT be edited! I WANT these excel documents to continue to be opened as Microsoft Excel documents with ALL the excel tools functioning. I use Excel every day to do my business, so until this problem is solved I will not be able to use FireFox. Please help me solve this problem.

When I use FireFox Browser to open My excel spread sheet documents, they open in preview, and are converted to pdf. In the PDF format they can NOT be edited! I WANT these excel documents to continue to be opened as Microsoft Excel documents with ALL the excel tools functioning. I use Excel every day to do my business, so until this problem is solved I will not be able to use FireFox. Please help me solve this problem.

All Replies (2)

AliceWyman
AliceWyman
  • Moderator
more options

Try changing the action for excel files in your Firefox preferences: Manage file types and download actions in Firefox

See also, in case it helps: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3061367 why can't I open up xls files?

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Hi spruit, Firefox does not have a reader/converter for XLS or XLSX format files. It's more likely that the website from which you are opening the XLS/XLSX files is giving you a browser-compatible preview.

Is it a file storage site such as Dropbox? Check near the link you use to access the Excel file to see whether there is a download link/button separate from whatever link/button you are using to get the PDF preview. Can you find one?

Is it a site that shows XLS/XLSX as HTML, such as Office online or Google Docs? In that case, you may need to use the File menu to save in Excel format.

Does that help at all? If not, could you mention what site is giving you this problem?