My excel does not work on my Mac

Jesse Peralta 0 Reputation points
2026-08-31T15:26:47.73+00:00

My excel does not work I've purchased Microsoft 365 and downloaded it. I can open excel but can not type anything in a cell or create anything in excel.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS
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  1. SD - IA 178.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-31T16:03:20.4433333+00:00

    Hi,

    I will work with you on this issue. It seems like the Excel isn't activated.

    1. If you purchased the license from the Apple Store, could you verify if your license is linked to Microsoft at the https://account.microsoft.com/services page?
    2. Are you sure, you do not possess multiple Microsoft accounts, i.e. you bought the subscription in another one, and using another one?

    Please run a license cleaner once:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-activation-licensing/how-to-remove-office-license-files-on-a-mac

    1. Download the license removal tool.

    2⁠. Open the .pkg file from your Mac's Downloads folder.

    Note

    If you get an "unidentified developer" error, try opening the file by holding Control + clicking the file > Open.

    3⁠. Select Continue and follow the prompts in the setup wizard.

    Caution

    We recommend you double-check that you have the correct account info ready by logging into Office.com/signin and checking for the license you want to activate with.

    4⁠. When you're ready to complete the license removal, select Install. You may need to enter your Mac's local admin account password.

    After the tool successfully removes licenses, select Close.

    5⁠. Now open any Office app and sign in to activate with the email account associated with your Microsoft 365 for Mac license. If you're troubleshooting an issue, you may need to reinstall Office before signing in.

    I look forward to hearing from you to get the results of the troubleshooting.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-31T15:27:02.18+00:00

    Try these steps on the Mac, in order:

    1. Check whether Excel is in reduced functionality mode.
      • Starting July 13, 2026, Office apps on macOS can open and print files but cannot edit, save, or create new files if the app is in reduced functionality mode.
      • If that applies, update Microsoft 365 or Office on the device.
    2. Refresh Excel file and folder permissions in macOS.
      • Quit Excel completely with Excel > Quit Excel or Command + Q.
      • Open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders.
      • Find Microsoft Excel and turn on access to available locations, especially Documents, Desktop, and Downloads.
      • If access is already on, turn one permission off and back on.
      • Restart the Mac and test in a blank workbook.
      • If Excel is not listed there, open an existing workbook from Documents or Desktop and allow the macOS permission prompt.
    3. Remove Excel preference files.
      • Quit all Office for Mac apps.
      • In Finder, select Go > Home > Library > Preferences.
      • If Library is hidden, hold Option while opening the Go menu.
      • Drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the desktop.
      • Open Excel and test.
      • If the issue remains, restore that file, then go back to Home > Library > Preferences > Microsoft and drag com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist to the desktop.
      • Open Excel and test again.
      • If one of these fixes the issue, move the affected preference file to Trash.
    4. Test with a new macOS user account.
      • Open Apple menu > System Preferences > Accounts.
      • Select + to create a new account.
      • Create a test account, sign out, then sign in with that new account.
      • Open Excel and test typing in a blank workbook.
      • If Excel works there, the original macOS user profile is likely corrupted.
    5. Reinstall Office if the problem continues.
      • Corrupted application files can prevent Excel from working correctly.
      • Remove Office, then reinstall it.

    If Excel opens but still will not let anything be entered, the most likely causes in the available guidance are macOS permission issues, corrupted Excel preferences, a corrupted user profile, or reduced functionality mode.

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

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