How to Fix the Numbers About the App Popup in Shared Excel Workbooks
Question details
A user encounters an unexpected popup titled 'Numbers About the App' when pulling down from the top of a shared Excel worksheet.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Scrolling or pulling down from the top of the page within a shared Excel workbook.
- Observed behavior
- A popup displaying 'NUMBERS ABOUT THE APP' appears on screen. This issue is isolated to a specific shared file and does not occur in newly created workbooks.
Before troubleshooting, save a local backup copy of the shared workbook to ensure no collaborative data is lost while testing.
Test the Workbook in Safe Mode
Opening Excel in Safe Mode temporarily disables third-party add-ins, helping you determine if an extension on a collaborator's machine is causing the popup.
Since the issue is isolated to one shared workbook, the popup is likely triggered by a specific add-in or custom setting introduced by another user's environment. Safe Mode is the best diagnostic tool for this.
Ensure the affected shared workbook and the Excel application are completely closed.
Press the Windows Key + R simultaneously on your keyboard.
Type 'excel /safe' into the text box and press Enter or click OK.
Go to File > Open within Safe Mode, browse to the affected shared workbook, and pull down from the top of the worksheet to see if the popup still appears.
Restore a Previous Clean Version of the File
If the popup was recently introduced by another user's modifications, rolling back to an older version can instantly resolve the problem.
Avoid File Glitches with WPS Office
If complex shared Microsoft Excel files are causing persistent popup errors or software conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for seamless spreadsheet collaboration without the clutter of buggy third-party add-ins.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
- 3. Open your spreadsheets: Double-click any existing Excel file to open it cleanly and securely in WPS Spreadsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Numbers About the App' popup only happen in one shared file?
This indicates the problem is isolated to the specific file's settings, custom macros, or a third-party add-in that was introduced by another user's computer, rather than a system-wide error in your Excel application.
How can I find out which collaborator caused the popup issue?
You can check the 'Version History' in OneDrive, SharePoint, or your native cloud storage to see which user last modified the document right before the popup started appearing.
Will copying the data into a new workbook stop the popup?
Yes, copying only the raw data (values and formatting) into a brand-new, unshared workbook often strips out the hidden background settings or corrupted elements triggering the popup.
