Excel files editable on one Mac but not another using the same Microsoft account

Vittoria 0 Reputation points
2026-09-03T17:57:57.93+00:00

I am using the same personal Microsoft account on two Macs, as I have always done.

I work on the same Excel files from both devices. Some of the files were originally created on my portable MacBook and others on my studio Mac, but the issue does not seem to depend on where the file was originally created.

On my portable MacBook, I can open and edit the Excel files normally.

On my studio Mac, I can open the same files and I can even insert images into the worksheets and edit/resize those images. However, I cannot edit any cells at all: I cannot type, change values, or enter anything into a cell.

The files do not appear to be read-only, they are not password protected, and the worksheets/workbooks are not protected. I am signed into the same Microsoft account on both computers.

I have already tried signing out of my Microsoft account on the affected Mac and signing back in. I have also waited to see whether this was a syncing/server issue, but the problem is still happening.

I need to be able to work on the same files interchangeably from both Macs, sometimes during the same workday.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-03T17:58:22.4533333+00:00

    On the affected Mac, the most likely causes supported by the documented guidance are a version/co-authoring mismatch, a file format issue, an unsupported workbook feature, or a local OneDrive/Excel state problem.

    Try these in order:

    1. Confirm the affected Mac is using a co-authoring-capable Excel build If one device is using a version that does not support co-authoring, the file can appear locked for editing for everyone else. Supported versions include Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac and Excel for the web. Excel 2016, 2019, and 2021 LTSC do not support co-authoring.
    2. Open the same workbook in Excel for the web This is the quickest isolation step. If editing works there, the file itself is likely fine and the issue is specific to the desktop Excel app or its local state on the studio Mac.
    3. Check the file format on an affected workbook For co-authoring in Excel, use .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb. On Mac: File > Save As... and save in one of those formats if needed. Co-authoring does not support Strict Open XML Spreadsheet format.
    4. Make sure the file is stored where co-authoring is supported Co-authoring is supported when the file is saved on OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, SharePoint in Microsoft 365, or a supported SharePoint Foundation site. If the file is opened from another server/location, editing can be blocked while another session has it open.
    5. Check for unsupported workbook features A workbook can be locked for co-authoring if it uses unsupported features. On Mac, try:
      • Review > Protect Workbook and turn protection off if it is highlighted.
      • File > Restrict Permissions > No Restrictions.
      • For tables or PivotTables: Table > Refresh > Connection Properties and clear Refresh data when opening file.
      • Tools > Excel Add-ins and clear add-ins that may be causing the lock.
    6. Check OneDrive sync on the affected Mac Make sure the OneDrive sync app is on the latest version and is not paused. A stale local sync state can cause edit conflicts or leave a file effectively locked.
    7. Rule out a stale self-lock If the file may still be considered open by that Mac, close the workbook on all devices, wait a few minutes for the server to release the lock, then reopen it.
    8. Use Save As as a temporary workaround If immediate editing is required, use File > Save As to create a new copy and edit that copy. This avoids the current lock state, but changes later need to be reconciled with the original file.

    Because the same account works on the other Mac, the account itself is less likely to be the issue. The strongest next checks are:

    • verify the Excel version on the studio Mac,
    • test the same file in Excel for the web,
    • save one affected file as .xlsx,
    • disable add-ins and unsupported workbook features,
    • confirm OneDrive is current and syncing.

    References:

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