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XLSB File Crashes Designer
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Created/Edited - 4/30/2026 by London Hanson | Alteryx

Summary
Opening an Excel binary file (.XLSB) in an Input Data Tool crashes Designer if Windows patches are not installed.
Issue

Designer Crashes When Opening XLSB Files

Environment

If Windows 10 patches are not up to date on a machine, opening an Excel binary file (.XLSB) in an Input Data Tool crashes Alteryx Designer.
 

  • Alteryx Designer
    • 2022.1
    • 2021.4
  • Microsoft Excel binary files (.XLSB)
  • Input Data Tool
  • Windows 10
Cause

Windows 10 updates have not been installed. As an additional consideration, if you are unable to see .XLSB as an option in the "File Format" dropdown of the Input Data Tool, you will need to install the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable (32-bit) as well, found here: 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13255

 
 
Resolution
  1. Please update your computer to the latest Windows version, including any patches that may need to be installed.
  2. To check for Windows updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and then select Check for Updates.


     
  3. Ensure that the machine is up to date.
Additional Information
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