In this article, I’ll provide troubleshooting steps to fix Excel not working on your Mac computer running the latest macOS Taheo 26 or earlier. Try these workaround steps to resolve the issue.
We start here, from basic to advanced troubleshooting. Let’s follow my solution one by one.
Solution 1. Restart the Excel App and your Mac computer or MacBook
Restarting the app or your computer may resolve temporary problems.
Steps to Quit the Excel Application
- Open the Excel programme.
- Click on Excel on the top menu bar.
- Choose Quit Excel in the menu bar or pressing Cmd + Q.
Now, reopen Microshot Excel from the macOS Dock and try using it again.
Now, restart your Mac to fix problems with Excel for Mac
- Go to the Apple logo on the top-left corner.
- Choose the Restart tab.
- A pop-up window appears: Are you sure you want to restart your computer now? Click on Restart.
Wait for your device to restart. Afterward, open the Excel app and do your work for better productivity. I hope this helps you! If you still have the same issue with the Excel app not responding on your Mac, please refer to my next solution.
Solution 2. Update Excel App and macOS to the latest version
The foremost task is to ensure that both Excel and your macOS are updated. Regular updates often fix bugs and boost performance.
To Update Excel App: Open the Mac App Store and go to the Updates tab. If there’s an update available for Excel, click Update.
To update macOS: Please go to Apple Menu – System Settings – Software Update and install any available updates.
Solution 3. You have to check for Excel Add-ins
Sometimes, Excel add-ins can cause issues. Disable any add-ins to see if it resolves the problem. Follow the steps to turn off add-ins on your MacBook.
- Open Excel App.
- Go to the Tools tab and click on Excel Add-ins.
- On this settings page, Uncheck all add-ins and restart Excel.
Most users solved their Excel problems on their Mac with this solution.
Solution 4. Need Clear Excel Preferences
Corrupted App preferences may cause Excel to malfunction. To resolve this, you can delete the preference files and reset them.
- Open Finder and navigate to ~/Library/Preferences.
- Find and delete the file named com.microsoft.Excel.plist.
- Restart Excel and see if the issue is fixed.
Solution 5. Repair Excel Using the Microsoft AutoRepair Tool
If Excel won’t open or crashes frequently, use the AutoRepair tool to fix it.
- Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
- Right-click Microsoft Excel and select Show Package Contents.
- Open the Contents – SharedSupport folder.
- Double-click Microsoft_Office_Repair and follow the on-screen instructions to repair Office.
Solution 6. Check for Conflicting Software
Third-party software, such as antivirus programs or firewalls, can sometimes interfere with Excel. To identify potentially conflicting software on a Mac, use Activity Monitor.
- Temporarily disable any antivirus, VPN, or firewall software and check if Excel works.
- If disabling the software resolves the issue, you may need to adjust the settings or contact the software provider for support.
Solution 7. Start your Mac in Safe Mode
Safe Mode can help identify issues caused by startup items or system extensions.
- Shut down your Mac, then power it on while holding down the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Try opening Excel in Safe Mode. If it works, a third-party app or extension may be causing the issue.
Solution 8. Check for Excel File Issues
If Excel crashes when opening specific files, the file itself might be corrupted.
- Try opening a new, blank workbook to see if the issue persists.
- If only certain files are causing issues, try opening them on a different device or using Excel Online to check for corruption.
Solution 9. Reinstall Excel on your Mac Computer
If the problem continues, reinstalling Excel may be necessary.
- Open Finder, click on the Applications folder in the sidebar, locate Microsoft Excel, right-click on it, and select Move to Trash. Enter your Mac login password or use Touch ID to confirm the app’s deletion.
- Go to the Mac App Store or Microsoft’s website to download and reinstall Excel.
Solution 10. Check Console Logs for Errors
You can check system logs for any error messages related to Excel that might point to the issue.
- Open Applications – Utilities – Console.
- Look for any error messages related to Excel.
Concolution
If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft Support or visit Apple Support for additional help.
We strongly suggest you upgrade both Excel and Office Software to the most recent versions, as this will ensure you have a seamless experience using both. You should make frequent backups of your critical files to prevent data loss.
