Fix Tiny Text Issue in Excel for the Web on SharePoint
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where text becomes extremely small while typing in Excel for the web on SharePoint, affecting multiple workbooks on a specific account.
- Product
- Excel for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Typing data into Excel workbooks hosted on SharePoint using a web browser.
- Observed behavior
- The typed text unexpectedly shrinks to a tiny size for one specific user account, while other accounts on the same computer remain unaffected.
Ensure your web browser is fully updated and check if the issue persists on other devices to confirm whether it is specific to your account's browser cache.
Use Private Browsing and Clear Browser Cache
Running Excel for the web in a Private window bypasses problematic cached account data that causes the tiny text glitch.
Since the issue affects a single user account but not others on the same computer, the root cause is likely corrupted account data stored in your browser's cache.
Launch your web browser and open a new Private or Incognito window (usually accessed via the browser's top-right menu or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N).
Log into your Microsoft 365 account, navigate to the SharePoint library, and open the affected Excel workbook to see if the text size remains normal while typing.
If the issue is resolved in private mode, go to your browser's history or privacy settings and clear your cached images, files, and cookies for all time, then restart the browser.
Contact Microsoft 365 Support for Account Cache Reset
If clearing local cache does not work, the issue may stem from backend account data requiring intervention from Microsoft Support.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Spreadsheet Experience
If you frequently encounter formatting glitches and web caching issues with Microsoft Office online, try WPS Office. It provides a fast, lightweight, and highly compatible desktop application experience without the instability of web-based browser caches.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer to quickly set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Open your existing Excel workbooks seamlessly in WPS Spreadsheets and start editing without formatting glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my text shrink only in Excel for the Web and not the desktop app?
Web applications rely heavily on browser caching to load components faster. Corrupted cached data specific to your Microsoft account session can cause unexpected rendering glitches in the browser, such as tiny text, which do not affect the locally installed desktop application.
Will repairing my Microsoft Office desktop installation fix this web issue?
No. Since this issue occurs specifically in Excel for the Web hosted on SharePoint, it is tied to your browser, your web session, or your Microsoft 365 online account cache, rather than your local desktop installation.
How do I know if the problem is my computer or my Microsoft account?
You can determine this by logging into Excel for the Web with a completely different user account on the same computer. If the text size behaves normally for the other account, the issue is tied to your specific account data or profile cache rather than the computer itself.
