5 Ways to Fix Microsoft Excel Not Opening on Mac

Quick Tips

• Open Disk Utility on your Mac and run the First Aid function to check your storage drive for errors.
• Booting your Mac in safe mode will help you check for third-party app interference while opening the Microsoft Excel app. The steps will differ depending on your Mac’s processor chip.
• Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > click the Plus icon at the bottom > add Excel and click Ok > enable access for the Excel app. This will remove any restrictions on the app.

Basic Fixes

• Check your Microsoft subscription: Visit your Microsoft 365 account and check your subscription status. Excel won’t work without the subscription.
• Force quit and relaunch Excel: Click the Apple logo > Force Quit > choose Excel > click Force Quit.
• Update the app: Install the latest version of the app on your Mac to get rid of any bugs causing this issue.

Fix 1: Create a New User Account

You can try to solve this problem by creating a new user account on your Mac and launching the Excel app.

Step 1: Open Settings and go to Users and Groups from the left menu.

Step 2: Click on Add User and proceed by entering your Mac password.

Step 3: Fill in the details and click on Create User.

Step 4: Once the profile is created, click the Info icon next to the new profile name.

Step 5: Enable the toggle for Allow guests to log in to this computer and click Ok.

Step 6: Restart your Mac, log in with your new user profile, and launch Excel on your Mac.

Fix 2: Ensure Excel Is Not Blocked in macOS Settings

Ensure that Microsoft Excel has full access to all relevant files on your Mac.

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > click the Plus icon at the bottom > add Excel and click Ok > enable access for Excel.

Fix 3: Run Disk Utility

Disk Utility is an excellent option for checking storage errors on your Mac. Random app installations or moving large files can cause such errors and reduce your Mac’s performance. Follow these steps to fix any storage errors causing problems while opening Microsoft Excel.

Step 1: Open Disk Utility on Mac.

Step 2: In the Disk Utility window, click on First Aid.

Step 3: Select Run to start First Aid.

Step 4: Click Continue to confirm your choice.

Once Disk Utility runs and repairs your disk, try opening the Microsoft Excel app.

Fix 4: Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in safe mode will help you check for third-party app interference while opening the Microsoft Excel app. Safe Mode will disable all third-party apps, and only system apps will run while booting your Mac.

For M1-Powered Mac 

Step 1: Shut down your Mac.

Step 2: After your Mac shuts down, press and hold the Power Button to see two startup options – Macintosh HD and Options.

Step 3: Select Macintosh HD. Hold the Shift key and click on Continue in Safe Mode.

Step 4: After your Mac boots in Safe Mode, launch Microsoft Excel.

For Intel-Powered Mac

Step 1: Restart your Mac.

Step 2: Press and hold the Shift key the moment your Mac restarts.

Step 3: Release the Shift key once you see the login window on your screen.

Fix 5: Remove Microsoft Excel Preference Files

Microsoft Excel creates a preference file with your customizations, like keyboard shortcuts. You can fix Microsoft Excel not opening on Mac by temporarily relocating the preference file. This will reveal whether using the app without any customization will help.

Step 1: Launch the Finder app > click on Go in the Menu bar > choose Go to Folder.

Step 2: Type ~/Library in the search box and press Return.

Step 3: Select the first search result and click on the Containers folder.

Step 4: After opening the folder, type com.microsoft.Excel.plist in the search box at the top-right.

Step 5: Select the file and drag it towards the Recycle Bin.

Step 6: Relaunch Microsoft Excel.