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TEXTJOIN showing as _xlfnTEXTJOIN in formaul and outputting #NAME?

Bob George 0 Reputation points
2026-05-21T15:24:15.4566667+00:00

I am having touble with TEXTJOIN function on Excel for Mac (Version 16.109.1 (26051717) ... but i don;t think that is the issue). I have an Excel file where the function is fine on another Mac, and on Web version. On the one particualr Mac tho it shows up in the formula bar as _xlfn.TEXTJOIN, and gives #NAME? as the result. To repeat, the formula is fine as it works on the same Excel installation of another Mac. I understand the _xlfn prefix indicates an issue accessing (somehow( the function. I have deleted, downloaded and reinstalled Excel, but no change. How do I fix this ?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS
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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.7K Reputation points
    2026-05-21T21:05:49.5+00:00

    Have you tried simply restarting the Mac?

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  2. Marcin Policht 90,970 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-05-21T16:46:55.18+00:00

    _xlfn.TEXTJOIN means that Excel is not loading the function library that contains newer worksheet functions, even though the app version itself supports them. Since the same file works on another Mac and in Excel Web, the problem is likely local to that Excel installation or its preferences/cache. This can be caused by corrupted Excel preference files, an incomplete update, or Excel opening the workbook in Compatibility Mode.

    First check whether the workbook is actually in compatibility mode on that Mac. Go to File > Save As and confirm the format is .xlsx and not .xls. If it is .xls, save a fresh .xlsx copy and reopen it. Then test whether the function exists globally on that Mac. In a completely new blank workbook, enter:

    =TEXTJOIN(",",TRUE,"A","B")

    If that also returns _xlfn.TEXTJOIN or #NAME?, Excel itself is failing to register modern functions. You might be able to fix this by resetting Excel’s local preference/cache files. Quit Excel completely, then in Finder go to:

    ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel

    Move that folder to the Desktop temporarily (do not delete yet). Also remove:

    ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office

    Then restart the Mac and open Excel again. Excel will rebuild its local configuration and licensing cache. This fixes many cases where functions silently fail to register.

    If that still does not fix it, check whether “Use Rosetta” is enabled incorrectly for Excel on Apple Silicon Macs. In Finder open Applications, right-click Excel, choose “Get Info”, and see whether “Open using Rosetta” is checked. Toggle it, reopen Excel, and test again. Also verify the Excel license/account is actually activating Microsoft 365 features on that Mac. In Excel sign out and sign back in. Sometimes Excel runs in a partial/unlicensed state where newer functions are unavailable even though the app version looks current.

    If the workbook came from another locale/language installation, try manually retyping the formula rather than copying it. Sometimes hidden Unicode characters or locale separators survive import. For example:

    =TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,A1:A10)

    Do not keep the _xlfn. prefix when retyping. Excel should add nothing before TEXTJOIN if the function library is loading correctly.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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