Can't open Excel app on iPhone- can I retreive an .xlsx file?

Factual Questions
1

So I kept a master password file on my iphone as a password-protected excel spreadsheet file. This has worked fine for years, but as my phone is an older model and the memory is getting full, I opted to have programs unused for a period of time auto-stored to the cloud until I need them again. This usually works fine, but I noticed recently that Outlook for iOS, which I use for my work email, said “unable to download”. I redownloaded it from the app store and it said “the latest version won’t work with your phone model. There’s an older version” So I downloaded the older version and it worked again.

So now, the same thing has happened with my Excel app. I’m afraid to re-download the app form the App store though, because I don’t want to overwrite the password file. I have a backup, but it’s a couple years old- I stupidly did not save a later version. I checked iCloud and it does not appear that it saved the password file.

Googling has been no help. Is there any way to extract a .xlsx file from my iphone without having a working Excel app? Or, if I redownload the excel app, will that overwrite or delete the file?

2

Did you try opening it with Numbers, Apple’s own spreadsheet application, which comes packaged with iOS? It should be able to deal with .xslx.

3

Thanks for the reply. Numbers didn’t show the file in its list, so I took a chance on re-downloading an older version of Excel, just like I had had to do for Outlook, and it worked! The file showed up. First thing I did was download it to my desktop.

Looks like I really need to upgrade my iphone-- still on an old 6s.

4

I suppose that’s a consequence of Apple’s philosophy to manage files from within the applications that use them, rather than via an all-purpose file explorer. If the need arises again, you can try to search for the file in Files, but I personally (having spent my formative IT years in Windows) don’t find it as useful as I’m used to from Windows Explorer. There are also third-party apps claiming to serve this need.

5

There are MUCH better tools for password management now than a homebrew spreadsheet. That make them available on all your devices and inside all your browsers. And all auto-synced and up to date.

6

Until the app isn’t available to run on your ancient and unupgraded device. Then you’ve got two problems.

At least a spreadsheet is a document, not an app, and therefore can’t be obsoleted unless the entire format falls of the fact of the earth.

7

Yeah, I’m sure there are better solutions, but this one worked for me for years (until it didn’t) and I’m not a tech Luddite, but I don’t know that I entirely trust password manager apps not to be hacked.

I have one complex often-used password (15 char min / lower case / upper case / number / special character combo) that I’m prompted to change so often that I don’t even bother putting it in my password file. I do what you’re never supposed to do-- keep it written down on a piece of paper on my desk. Guess which password I’ve never had a problem accessing?

8

Granted. There’s a bit of an assumption people won’t keep using ancient devices and OSes and apps beyond a certain point.

9

You might look into software like (one example) KeePass, where you are in charge of maintaining the file with your master password.

The old password dogma of a complex password isn’t quite current despite many websites requiring it: what mainly matters is that it’s long and not predictable. So mostly lowercase letters but it’s 25 characters long and not your kids’ names is good.

10

There has been a native Files app for years now.

11

Since you want to keep your password file, when you get your next iPhone, you might want to consider transferring the passes to the native Notes app which can also be password protected (or Face ID protected). Unfortunately, the 6s doesn’t support the locking feature in Notes.