How to Reinstall Excel on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you experiencing issues with Microsoft Excel not opening on your Mac? If so, this guide will walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to help you reinstall and fix the issue.

Firstly, it's essential to check if using the app without any customization helps. Sometimes, customizations can cause problems, so try running the app without them to see if that resolves the issue.

Method 1: Relocate the Preference File

Microsoft Excel creates a preference file that stores your customizations, such as keyboard shortcuts. You can temporarily relocate this file to see if it resolves the issue. To do this:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and select Restart from the drop-down menu.

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.

Method 2: Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in safe mode will disable all third-party apps and only allow system apps to run. This can help you identify if there's any app interference causing the issue. To boot your Mac in safe mode:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select Shut Down from the drop-down menu.

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 Safe Mode by holding the Shift key and clicking on Continue in Safe Mode.

Method 3: Update Microsoft Excel

Microsoft actively pushes regular updates for its apps. It's essential to check if there are any updates available that may resolve the issue. To update Microsoft Excel:

Step 1: Click on the App Store icon on the Dock top open the App Store.

Step 2: Click on your Updates from the left menu.

Step 3: Press Command + R to refresh the Updates screen and download and install any available updates for Microsoft Excel.

Method 4: Force Quit and Relaunch Microsoft Excel

If none of the above methods work, you can try force quitting the app and relaunching it. To do this:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo at the top left corner.

Step 2: Select Force Quit from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Select Microsoft Excel from the list of apps and click on Force Quit.

Step 4: Relaunch the app and see if it opens now on your Mac.

If none of these methods work, you may need to reinstall Microsoft Excel entirely. However, by following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the issue, ensuring that you can continue using Microsoft Excel without any problems.

I hope this guide has been helpful in resolving the issue with Microsoft Excel not opening on your Mac. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

How to reinstall excel on mac