Office LTSC Standard for Mac 2024 Excel Read only after Mac OS update

Larry 5 Reputation points
2026-08-21T16:39:52.34+00:00

My excel is currently read only - what do I do now?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | MacOS
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  1. Demi Nguyen 1,505 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-21T17:07:35.22+00:00

    Hello Larry,

    To better understand what changed after the macOS update and determine the appropriate next steps, could you please provide the following information?

    • Which macOS version was installed before the update, and which version is currently installed?
    • What is the current Excel version and build number? You can find this by opening Excel and selecting Excel > About Microsoft Excel: About Office: What version of Office am I using? | Microsoft Support
    • Does the read-only behavior occur with every workbook or only with one specific file?
    • Are you able to create, edit, and save a new blank workbook?
    • Do Word or PowerPoint also open files in read-only mode, or is the issue limited to Excel?
    • Since you are using an LTSC version of Office, was Office installed and activated by your company’s IT administrator, or did you install it yourself?
    • Is this a company-managed Mac?

    In the meantime, please check whether any updates are available for Excel and the other Office applications:

    • Open Excel.
    • From the menu bar, select Help > Check for Updates.
    • If Microsoft AutoUpdate finds an available update, select Update or Update All.
    • Once the update is complete, restart the Mac and test Excel again.

    Microsoft recommends updating macOS first and then updating the Office applications when Office enters reduced-functionality mode or cannot edit, save, or create files: Update Microsoft 365 or Office on your macOS or iOS device | Microsoft Support

    If Check for Updates is unavailable and Office was installed through the Mac App Store, please open the App Store and check the Updates section instead: Update Office for Mac automatically | Microsoft Support

    Please update me with the requested information and the result after checking for updates. These details will help determine whether the behavior is related to the Office installation, license activation, macOS compatibility, or a specific workbook.

    Kind regards,

    Note: Please follow the steps in documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-21T16:40:08.02+00:00

    If Excel became read-only after a macOS update, use this path:

    1. Update Office for Mac to the latest supported version. Microsoft states that affected Microsoft 365 apps on macOS can enter reduced functionality mode, where files can be opened, viewed, and printed but not edited, saved, or created. Full functionality is restored after updating to the required version.
    2. If updates are managed centrally in the organization, contact the help desk instead of troubleshooting further.
    3. If Excel is still read-only after the update, fully quit the app, reopen it, and then sign out and sign back in from the app’s Account settings.
    4. Check whether the workbook itself was set to open as read-only:
      • In Excel, go to File > Always Open Read-Only.
      • If it is checked, clear it.
    5. If the workbook is only prompting for read-only recommendation:
      • Open the workbook.
      • Go to File > Passwords.
      • Clear Read-only recommended if it is selected.
    6. If the file was intentionally protected, check whether a password to modify was set:
      • Go to File > Passwords.
      • A Password to modify can be used to control changes.

    Important:

    • If a workbook is shared, anyone with Write privileges can clear the read-only status.
    • Microsoft cannot retrieve forgotten passwords.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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