Share via

Excel won't open

Jim Stevenson 20 Reputation points
2026-05-08T15:07:21.46+00:00

I just bought a MacBook Air running macOS 26.4.1. When I try to open Excel I get the message: The application "Microsoft Excel" can't be opened. My version of Excel is 16.108.3.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | MacOS

Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-05-08T15:07:36.3466667+00:00

Use the following steps to troubleshoot Excel not opening on macOS 26.4.1 with Excel 16.108.3:

  1. Confirm Excel is installed in the correct location
    • When macOS reports that an Office app cannot be opened, verify the application path.
    • In the error dialog, check “Problem Details and System Configuration” and note the Path.
    • The Office app should be under the main Applications folder (for example, Macintosh HD\Applications\Microsoft Office 2011 or the equivalent modern Office folder).
    • If Excel (or the Office suite) is in another location, move the whole Office folder back into Applications:
      1. In Finder, locate the Office folder.
      2. Select it, then on the Finder menu choose Edit > Copy.
      3. In Finder, select Go > Applications.
      4. Choose Edit > Paste Item.
      5. Try opening Excel again.
  2. Remove duplicate Excel/Office app entries
    • Duplicate app bundles can cause “cannot be opened” errors.
    • In Finder, select File > Find and search for Excel.
    • In the results, look for multiple Excel application icons.
    • If more than one Excel icon appears, select the duplicates and choose File > Move to Trash.
    • Empty the Trash, then try opening Excel again.
  3. If Excel still will not open, completely remove and reinstall Office
    • Quit all Office apps.
    • In Finder, go to Go > Computer, open Macintosh HD, then Applications.
    • Locate the Microsoft Office folder (for your version) and move it to the Trash.
    • Reinstall Office for Mac from the source associated with the license (for example, from the Microsoft account’s Services & subscriptions page, or the original installer), then try opening Excel again.

If, after reinstalling, Excel still cannot be opened while other Office apps work, repeat the duplicate-check step and ensure only the newly installed Excel app remains in Applications.

References:

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

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Gunasekar N 68,335 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-08T16:12:12.98+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A

    **
    Step 1:**

    Quit all Office applications.

    Open Finder > Applications.

    Drag the 'Excel Application' to the trash folder.

    Step 2:

    In the Finder, click GO in the menu bar and go to the folder - ~/Library/Containers/

    Select com.microsoft.Excel folder and click Delete.

    Note: Doing this will reset the Excel app to a clean state, and all your settings, preferences, and cached data will be deleted, but your actual spreadsheet files will remain safe.

    Step 3:

    Go to the Office update history page here-

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac

    Download and install the Excel app version 16.108.3 on your Mac.

    See if it works.

    Let me know if you still need more help.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.