Open SILK files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Excel Symbolic Link Format
  • Developer
    Microsoft Corporation
Have you encountered a problem with a SILK file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a SILK file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your SILK file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is SILK file?

The file extension SILK identifies a file that exists in the symbolic link format. This file format was developed by Microsoft to transfer data between spreadsheets and other database applications.

More info

The files contain text that uses semicolons to separate the contents of a cell by column, line, format, and content. These data are stored in ANSI format.

Complex formulas are stored in SYLK codes.

By default, the ending slk is used for these files. Occasionally, the syk ending occurs.

Although Microsoft did not release the specifications of SYLK, several variants of the format are supported by a number of applications. For a trouble-free support we recommend changing the file extension to slk.

Programs which can open a SILK file

How to open file with SILK extension?

In order to open a file with SILK extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening SILK file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with SILK files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Microsoft Excel or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening SILK files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support SILK files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of SILK files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Excel as the default program for opening SILK files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate SILK files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Excel applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Excel has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with SILK files

Sometimes problems with opening SILK files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • SILK files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open SILK files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • SILK file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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