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Error Message

Tony Noonan 0 Reputation points
2026-04-30T03:27:00.47+00:00

Just downloaded Excel. Getting an error message. that force closes excel. What do I do?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Other
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  1. Senthil kumar 395 Reputation points
    2026-04-30T06:38:33.6433333+00:00

    Hi Tony Noonan,

    May be excel file has been corrupted also throw this error message. so try below steps if not workout then repair office.

    • Open fresh excel app -> goto file -> click open-> browse window will appear
    • from the window select your excel file location and select the file.
    • then the same window file open button options select open and repair. mostly problem will solved.
    • after that you addressed the same issue. suppose if its downloaded or attachment redownload or ask them to reattach the file.
    • after that you addressed the same issue. repair the office suite.

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    Thanks.

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  2. Lester Bernard Reyes 80,375 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-30T04:02:31.6833333+00:00

    Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

    Kindly follow the steps provided by Q&A Assist. However, if the issue persists, I recommend reinstalling the Office app by following the steps below:

    Press the Windows key + R, then type in:

     

    appwiz.cpl

     

    Then hit OK

     

    Look for the Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 app > Right-click, then select Uninstall

    Follow the prompts to uninstall your Office app.

    Then reinstall your Office app by following the steps from the link below:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2024-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658

    Note: This is a public forum. I may respond shortly, but I apologize in advance for any delays. I am simply a fellow user trying to provide helpful insights and information.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-04-30T03:27:22.08+00:00

    Follow these steps in order until Excel opens without force closing.

    1. Quit Excel and all other Office apps
    • On macOS: Select each app in the top toolbar and choose Quit.
    • If an app will not close, press Command + Option + Esc, select the app in Force Quit Applications, then select Force Quit.
    1. Reset Excel/Office preferences (Mac) If using Excel for Mac:
    2. Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac apps.
    3. In Finder, select Go > Home.
    4. Open Library (hold OPTION while opening the Go menu if Library is hidden).
    5. Open Preferences.
    6. Drag these files (if they exist) to the Desktop:
      • com.microsoft.Excel.plist
      • In Preferences > Microsoft: com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist
    7. Open Excel and test:
      • If Excel works, move those files to the Trash.
      • If Excel still crashes, restore the files to their original locations and continue.
    8. Repair disk permissions (Mac)
    9. In Finder, select Go > Utilities.
    10. Open Disk Utility.
    11. Select the primary hard disk.
    12. Go to the First Aid tab and select Repair Disk Permissions.
    13. When complete, start Excel and test again.
    14. Try a new macOS user profile (Mac) If Excel still fails:
    15. Select the Apple icon > System Preferences > Accounts.
    16. Create a new user (for example, Test) and allow it to administer the computer.
    17. Log out of the current account and log in with the new account.
    18. Open Excel and test.
      • If Excel works in the new account, the original macOS profile is likely corrupted and may need further troubleshooting with Apple.
    19. Reinstall Office (Mac) If none of the above helps:
    20. Quit all Office apps.
    21. In Applications, select all Microsoft 365 apps and move them to the Trash.
    22. In ~/Library/Containers/, delete folders starting with:
      • com.microsoft.Word
      • com.microsoft.Excel
      • com.microsoft.Powerpoint
      • com.microsoft.Outlook
      • com.microsoft.OneNote
    23. In ~/Library/Group Containers/, move to Trash (if present):
      • UBF8T346G9.ms
      • UBF8T346G9.Office
    24. Reinstall Office from the Microsoft account services page and test Excel again.

    If using Windows and all Office apps show a similar crash message, run an Online Repair of Office from Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 > Modify > Online Repair, then restart the PC and test Excel.

    References:

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