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MS365 Excel on MacOS keeps freezing. Even editing simple formulas causes it to hang

Jazz Keer 0 Reputation points
2026-05-06T13:53:26.3866667+00:00

If I want to edit a cell to for example extend the range of an average or extend the graph with more recent data, the act of entering the cell for editing causes it to freeze and I cannot then do anything with Excel. It won't escape, close the file or even let me click onto another cell. Basically the simplest of Excel files become unusable on my Apple Mac Mini M4.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS
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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.7K Reputation points
    2026-05-18T02:12:10.5033333+00:00

    Closing document windows does not Quit the program. It allows it to continue running & can cause any Minimized or Hidden files to remain open as well. That makes everything subject to the type of misbehavior you described, including possible corruption or loss of data.

    When a program is not being actively used either select the Quit command in the program name menu [e.g., Excel> Quit Excel] or use the Command+Q keyboard shortcut. If any files are open they will be closed also & there will be a prompt to save changes.

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  2. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.7K Reputation points
    2026-05-14T21:24:11.08+00:00

    No offense, but leaving any file open for days or allowing a program to run for that length of time is a recipe for disaster. There are any number of background operations which could create problems, loss of data or file corruption.

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  3. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.7K Reputation points
    2026-05-11T12:54:50.59+00:00

    Your result point to an issue with the original file. Use Save As to create a new copy to see if the new copy works as it should.

    If not please provide the first ~20 lines of an error report if you need to force quit again.

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  4. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.7K Reputation points
    2026-05-06T15:45:07.0933333+00:00

    If you restart the Mac does the issue persist?

    Another common cause is a need for macOS &/or Office updates.

    • From Excel> About Microsoft Excel what is the present Version Number?
    • From **> About This Mac** what is the present Version Number?

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  5. IGYQ 19,275 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-06T15:16:35.7433333+00:00

    Hi!

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

    What you describe that Excel is freezing the moment do a simple task like editing a simple formula steps to various factors. To narrow down the search what is happening, you need to do a test.

    You need close everything first including Excel(save your work), then re-open Excel and create blank workbook. Once created you can do a simple sample like seen below:

    Type:

    A1 = 1

    A2 = 2

    A3 = =AVERAGE(A1:A2)

    Then double-click the formula cell to edit it.

    Let me know if it will freeze or not. We're trying to check if the issue is originating from the File itself or not. Also tell me your exact version:

    Excel → About Microsoft Excel

    (example: Version 1x.xx)

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