IGY File Extension
Microsoft Excel Web Query
- File Type igy
- Developer Microsoft Corporation
- Popularity
- Application Microsoft Excel
- Category Text Files
What is a IGY file?
Microsoft Excel Web Query, identified by the IGY extension, is a Text Files type and includes 315 files.
With the creation of the Microsoft Excel Web Query (IGY), Microsoft introduced file format along with 242 programs built for their use.
IGY files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. You can open a IGY file using one of 5 programs, for example Microsoft Excel, Atom and Notepad++.
Programs that support IGY files
How to open a IGY file?
The most common reason why a IGY file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.
The most popular programs for working with IGY files are Microsoft Excel, Atom and Notepad++. To get the latest version of Microsoft Excel, open the Microsoft website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.
Once setup is done, your operating system should assign Microsoft Excel as the default app for IGY files.
Make Microsoft Excel the default IGY viewer
Changing the default program in Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your IGY file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
- Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Microsoft Excel as the application to associate with your IGY file;
- Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".
Change the default app to open files on Mac
- Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired IGY file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
- In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to Microsoft Excel. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.
How to edit a IGY file?
To edit IGY files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify text files. Online IGY editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for Microsoft Excel Web Query.
List of Top IGY editors 2026
Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended IGY editors.
| IGY Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Excel | Microsoft | Windows, Mac OS, Apple iOS, Android | 4.7 out of 5 (37 reviews) |
| PSPad | Jan Fiala | Windows | 4.7 out of 5 (41 review) |
| Notepad++ | Notepad++ Team | Windows | 4.6 out of 5 (37 reviews) |
| Sublime Text | Sublime HQ Pty | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.6 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| Atom | - | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.1 out of 5 (36 reviews) |
Finding answers to IGY file problems
If you encounter issues with IGY files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.
What are the signs that my IGY file is damaged?
Corrupted IGY text files may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Poor performance when editing a file in Microsoft Excel;
- Opening or processing the file in Microsoft Excel or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
- The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
- Unexpected expansion of the total size of the IGY file;
- Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;
Why does Microsoft Excel quit or crash unexpectedly?
Microsoft Excel crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Microsoft products.
A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.
What methods can be used to repair a damaged IGY file?
Use a recovery program to open the damaged IGY file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged text files.