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can't add text to excel sheet in M365

Rosemary Palladino 0 Reputation points
2026-04-05T21:04:10.1833333+00:00

I'm unable to update excel spreadsheets on my phone as I can't add text

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Android
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  1. Norah-L 6,685 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-04-13T06:35:30.31+00:00

    Good day Rosemary Palladino!

    Based on what you described, you're currently unable to update your Excel spreadsheets on your Android phone because the app isn’t allowing you to enter or edit text within the file.

    Please try clearing the app cache/data as suggested by Joe Charlesworth.

    Next, check whether the file is in a read‑only format (such as .csv or older .xls).

    If the issue persists, consider updating or reinstalling Excel app to address potential update‑related corruption (recommended).

    Hope this helps. Please let me know how it goes!

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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  2. Joe Charlesworth 0 Reputation points
    2026-04-05T21:54:16.86+00:00

    Reset the Excel app:

    Settings > Apps > Excel > Storage > Clear cache + Clear data

    This forces Excel to rebuild its local files and usually restores text input instantly.

    That’s the cleanest, most probable solution based on the limited info they gave.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-04-05T21:04:26.16+00:00

    On Android, Excel can open many file types but only some can be edited. If a workbook opens but does not allow typing or changes, the file is likely in a format that Excel for Android treats as read-only, or contains features that force read-only behavior.

    Check these points:

    1. Confirm the file type
      • Excel for Android can open and edit only certain formats:
        • .xlsx (Excel workbooks)
        • .xlsb (non-XML binary workbooks)
        • .xlsm (macro-enabled workbooks, but VBA functions will not run)
      • Many other formats are read-only on Android, for example:
        • .xls (older Excel format)
        • .csv
        • .ods
        • .xlt, .xltx, .xltm
      • If the file is one of these read-only formats, save it as an .xlsx workbook on a desktop version of Excel, then reopen it on the phone to edit.
    2. Check for features that make the workbook read-only on mobile
      • On some mobile platforms, Excel workbooks become read-only if they contain certain features such as:
        • Unsupported functions
        • Data validation
        • Array formulas
        • Data tables
        • Slicers
        • Macros enabled
        • OLE objects or ActiveX controls
      • If the workbook has any of these, open it in desktop Excel, remove or simplify those features, save as .xlsx, then try again on the phone.
    3. Verify subscription and app state
      • Core editing is available for free on mobile, but premium features require a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. Ensure the Microsoft 365 subscription is active and the user is signed into the Excel app with that account.
      • If editing suddenly stopped working around a renewal or update, uninstall and reinstall the Excel app on Android, then sign in again.

    If after converting the file to .xlsx, removing advanced features, and confirming subscription/sign-in the workbook still opens read-only, open it in desktop Excel or Excel for the web to check for protection (worksheet or workbook protection) and remove it there before editing on the phone.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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