'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Excel Mac Stock Prices Not Updating and Showing #NAME? Error
Question details
The user's Excel for Mac desktop application stops updating stock data and displays a #NAME? error in the cells instead of the expected stock prices.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Tracking and refreshing live stock prices using the built-in Stocks data type in Excel via a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Observed behavior
- The stock prices fail to refresh online, and the spreadsheet cells output a #NAME? error instead of numerical values.
Ensure your Mac has an active, stable internet connection and that you are signed into your Microsoft 365 account, as Excel requires both to fetch live stock data.
Update Excel for Mac to the Latest Version
Updating your Excel for Mac application to version 16.81 or newer resolves the #NAME? error caused by recent software update glitches.
Software glitches in certain versions of Excel for Mac can sever the connection to Microsoft's online data services, causing data types like Stocks to break and return a #NAME? error. Manually triggering the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to install the newest patch usually restores normal functionality.
Open the Excel application on your Mac. Click on 'Excel' in the top macOS menu bar and select 'About Microsoft Excel'. Check the version number to see if it is older than 16.81.
Click on 'Help' in the top macOS menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates'. This action will launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate utility.
If an update (such as version 16.81 or newer) is available, click 'Update' to download and install it. Once the installation is complete, close and reopen your spreadsheet to verify that the stock prices are updating normally.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
If you are tired of sudden software glitches and expensive subscription models in Microsoft Excel, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Experience powerful spreadsheet tools that just work, without the recurring costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Excel showing a #NAME? error for my stock data?
The #NAME? error occurs when Excel does not recognize the formula or the data type. For stock data, this typically happens if your Mac loses internet connection, you are signed out of Microsoft 365, or a buggy software update breaks the connection to Microsoft's backend data services.
Does this stock update error affect Excel for the web?
No, this specific glitch has primarily been reported on the Excel for Mac desktop application. Excel for the web usually remains unaffected because it constantly runs the most current, server-side version of the software.
What should I do if updating Excel doesn't fix the stock prices?
If updating to version 16.81 or newer does not resolve the issue, try signing out of your Microsoft account within Excel and signing back in to refresh your credentials. Alternatively, wait 48 to 72 hours, as the issue is often tied to temporary server-side synchronization errors that fix themselves.
