Formatting Issues

How to Fix Cannot Format Individual Words in Excel for iPad Cells

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to apply specific formatting like color, font size, bold, or underline to individual words within a single cell.

Product: Microsoft Excel for iPad
Device & OS: iPadOS (Excel version 2.90.1)
Scenario: Editing text inside a spreadsheet cell on an iPad.
Observed behavior: Rich text formatting options for individual words inside a cell are disabled or not functioning, though they previously worked.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to the internet and that all your recent workbook changes are fully synced to OneDrive or iCloud before proceeding with app troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify the Scope of the Issue

Determine if the formatting bug is specific to a single workbook or affects the entire Excel app.

Sometimes file corruption or specific document settings can prevent formatting. Testing across different files and apps helps isolate whether the issue is with the specific file or the Excel application itself.

Test a new workbook

Open Excel for iPad, tap 'New', select 'Blank workbook', type some text into a cell, select a single word, and try changing its color or making it bold.

Check other apps

Open Microsoft Word or PowerPoint on your iPad, type a sentence, select a word, and apply formatting to see if the issue is systemic across Office apps.

Verify file integrity

Open the affected workbook in Excel for the web via your iPad's browser (Safari or Chrome) to ensure your data and previous formatting are saved correctly.

Solution 2

Reset or Reinstall the Excel App

If the issue affects all files on your iPad, resetting your account connection or reinstalling the app can resolve underlying glitches.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for iPad for Seamless Spreadsheet Editing

If Excel for iPad continues to have formatting glitches, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy rich text formatting in cells, familiar interfaces, and flawless compatibility with all your existing Microsoft Office files directly on your iPad.

1. Download WPS Office: Get WPS Office for free from the App Store on your iPad.
2. Open Your Excel File: Launch WPS Office, navigate to your Files or Cloud storage, and tap to open your existing .xlsx workbook.
3. Format Your Text: Double-tap a cell to enter edit mode, select the specific words, and apply bold, colors, or font changes instantly from the bottom toolbar.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv)Reliable rich text formatting tools for cells, text, and tables on mobile devicesLightweight application that saves valuable iPad storage spaceFree to use with intuitive touch-friendly features

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I format partial text in a cell in Excel for iPad?

Yes, normally you can double-tap a cell, select specific words within the formula bar or directly in the cell, and apply formatting. However, occasional app updates or bugs may temporarily disable this feature, requiring an app update or reset.

Why is my text formatting grayed out in Excel for iPad?

This can happen if the workbook is in read-only mode, saved in a legacy format (.xls), or if the sheet is protected. Check your file permissions and try saving a copy in the modern .xlsx format.

Will reinstalling Excel on my iPad delete my spreadsheets?

No, as long as your spreadsheets are saved and fully synced to OneDrive, iCloud, or another cloud service, reinstalling the app will not delete them. Always verify your sync status in the cloud before uninstalling.

Document & File Issues