Excel spreadsheets won't open on my iMac

excel spreadsheets not opening on 3 out of 4 computers

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 24″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Feb 19, 2025 6:16 AM

Similar questions

Numbers spreadsheet won't open One particular (and important) spreadsheet won't open on my iMac, MacBook Pro or iPad Air. I get a message telling me it can only be opened on iCloud or a newer Mac. However other spreadsheets open on the computer as usual - they maybe just as old but perhaps not so complex as the one that won't open. So when I open it on iCloud it doesn't work in the same way as on the computer so I'm having to learn how to use a new system - very frustrating especially as on one sheet it won't let me unhide a large number of rows some of which need editing. If I was able to do that then I could manage. The iMac OS is High Sierra 10.13.6 and the MBP is Catalina 10.15.7. The iPad Air is on iOS 16.2 and I realise that would open from iCloud anyway. Funnily enough I was able to download the file as an Excel file and then open it in Numbers on the computer and make the amendments but this file has not uploaded to iCloud. This has only happened in the last couple of months and any help would be much appreciated.
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Excel won't open since updating to Ventura just updated to Mac OS Ventura 13.1 and now Excel won't open.... [Re-Titled by Moderator]
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Excel is trying to open non .xlsx files I recently updated my MS Excel to 16.73 and when I try to open the program, it immediately tries to open files in my documents folder, regardless of the document format, and I get a string of pop up boxes telling me a file isn't compatible with Excel. I deleted the program as advised, restarted the MacBook, reinstalled, and same thing. Tonight I downloaded the Excel update, which claimed to have bug fixes, and it is the same thing. Is there a way to delete not just the app but also the file associated with the app and start completely fresh, meaning that it says "Get" in the app store as opposed to having the download cloud? No issues with Word or Powerpoint, but Excel is essentially useless now. Upgrading to Ventura made no difference whatsoever. Thanks.
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2 replies

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

Feb 19, 2025 10:04 AM in response to cbwomens

I'm going to guess that you upgraded the computer operating system and then it happened.If so, you will also need to update your version of Excel.

varjak paw

Level 10

182,662 points

Feb 19, 2025 6:57 AM in response to cbwomens

We'll need more information before we can provide any useful suggestions. This may help you craft a good query:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5931

Regards.

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Excel spreadsheets won't open on my iMac