> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.visualyze.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.visualyze.ai/rpa-studio/microsoft-office/excel/open-excel-file.md).

# Open Excel File

Open an excel file for reading and writing.

Specify an input excel file and configure the access and actions parameters. This activity will create a variable of type [`ExcelHandle`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/variables.md#excelhandle) which is the input for other Excel activities.

### Input

* **Workbook path** : [`String Argument`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/arguments.md#string) ![](https://1935494318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M927xRZSEM57y2sBcm3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-20e90e25afa096ee0833e242a7763776d12b4591%2Fimage.png?alt=media)\
  The full path of the excel file is to be opened.
* **Auto Save** :
  * `True` - Saves the file automatically when any other activity makes any changes to the input [`ExcelHandle`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/variables.md#excelhandle)
  * `False` - The changes will not be saved by the [`ExcelHandle`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/variables.md#excelhandle).
* **Edit Password** : [`String Argument`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/arguments.md#string)

  The Password to edit the password protected excel file.
* **Password** : [`String Argument`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/arguments.md#string)

  The Password to open the password protected excel file.

{% hint style="info" %}
Password protected XLS files are not supported. Convert XLS files into XLSX files.
{% endhint %}

* **Open Mode**
  * `CreateAndOpen` - A new file will be created and opened.
  * `OpenExisting` - The specified excel file will be opened.
* **Macro Setting**
  * `EnableAll` - All macros are enabled and it can be run.
  * `DisableAll` - All macros are disabled in the specified excel file it cannot be run.
  * `ReadFromExcelSetting` - Reads the current excel macro settings.
* **Read-Only**
  * `True` - Opens the specified excel file in Read-Only mode and it can not be edited.
  * `False` - Opens the file in editable mode.
* **Use MS Excel**

{% hint style="warning" %}
Microsoft Excel needs to be installed on the computer for this option to work. The specified file will be locked by MS Excel while the workflow is being executed.

* `True` - The activity will use Microsoft Excel for for all actions on the excel file.
* `False` - The activity will not use Microsoft Excel.
  {% endhint %}

### Output

* **Output** : [`ExcelHandle Variable`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/variables.md#excelhandle)\
  The activity will open the specified excel file with the specified configuration, creates an Excel Handle and stores it in the specified [`ExcelHandle`](/getting-started/rpa-studio/variables.md#excelhandle) variable.

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