My Excel is not working on the tablet, it freezes and I can't move anything, then things start to disappear from the screen

Morris Frances 0 Reputation points
2026-08-26T12:53:51.4033333+00:00

Excel is freezing on the tablet, opens the file, but I can't move anything, add information, gets stuck, doesn't click on anything and then starts to disappear the information and get a white screen with the corrupted file. I've already updated iOS, I've deleted the app and reinstalled, I've already logged out of the Microsoft account and logged in again, but nothing solves it! I need help!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For education | iOS
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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-26T12:54:20.9166667+00:00

    Since iOS is already updated and the app was already reinstalled, use these next steps in order:

    1. Try opening Excel with Wi‑Fi turned off or with Airplane mode enabled. This is a reported workaround for recent iOS freezing issues. If Excel opens and becomes responsive, reconnect afterward.
    2. Fully close Excel from the recent apps list, then restart the iPad and open Excel again.
    3. Reset Excel cloud settings on iOS: Settings > Excel > Reset > Reset Cloud Settings Then restart Excel.
    4. If the screen turns white or content seems to disappear only in one workbook, test with a new blank workbook or a different file. If other files work, the problem may be file-specific.
    5. If the issue happens with a specific workbook, save a copy locally and test it outside network or cloud locations when possible. Problems can occur when files are opened from network, web, SharePoint, Remote Desktop/Citrix, offline files, or virtualized environments.
    6. Check whether the file format is supported on iOS. Some Excel file types on mobile can only open as read-only or are not supported.
    7. If the workbook is very large or complex, the file itself may be contributing to the freezing. Known causes include:
      • formulas referencing entire columns
      • uneven array formula references
      • many hidden or zero-sized objects
      • excessive styles from repeated copy/paste
      • excessive or invalid defined names
      • very large numbers of shapes or complex objects
    8. If the workbook was created by a third-party app, test the same features in a new workbook created directly in Excel. Third-party generated files can open incorrectly or have features that do not work properly in Excel.
    9. If Excel opens to a blank screen even after these steps, perform an Online Repair of Office by following the steps in Repair an Office application.
    10. If the problem continues after all of the above, contact Microsoft Support for guided troubleshooting.

    References:

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  2. JeseminQH 515 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-26T15:09:27.51+00:00

    Hi @Morris Frances

    Regarding this issue, have you tried the workarounds provided in the Q&A AI response to see whether any of them help, particularly testing Excel with Wi-Fi temporarily disabled and resetting the cloud settings under iPad Settings > Excel > Reset > Reset Cloud Settings?

    Also, may I kindly ask a few questions to help understand the issue better?

    • I noticed that this question was submitted under the Excel for Education tag. Would you mind confirming whether you are using a personal Microsoft account (e.g., account.microsoft.com) or a work or school account (e.g., myaccount.microsoft.com) provided by an organization? If you are using a school account, could you also check whether other users at your school are experiencing the same behavior?
    • Does the issue occur with all Excel files, including a new blank workbook, or only with one particular workbook?
    • When you sign in with the same account on another iPhone, iPad, or computer, does the same issue occur?
    • If possible, could another user sign in to Excel on the affected iPad and check whether they experience the same behavior?
    • Can the affected workbook be opened and edited normally in Excel for the web or on another device?

    Any additional information you can provide will help me better understand the scope of the issue and identify the most appropriate next steps.

    Hope to hear back from you soon.

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