Excel Performance Problems

Fix Excel Freezing and Slowing Down on MacBook Pro M2

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing severe performance degradation and freezing in Microsoft Excel on a Mac equipped with an Apple Silicon M2 processor.

How to Fix Excel Freezing and Slowing Down on MacBook Pro M2

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: macOS Sonoma (MacBook Pro M2)
Scenario: Editing or navigating spreadsheets during normal workflow.
Observed behavior: Excel freezes for several seconds, becomes progressively slower, and eventually shows the spinning rainbow cursor while other applications continue to function normally.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved your current workbook to prevent data loss and close any unnecessary background applications to free up system memory before beginning the troubleshooting process.

Solution 1Recommended

Update or Revert Office for Mac Version

Installing the latest patch or rolling back to a stable previous version can resolve compatibility bugs between recent Microsoft 365 updates and macOS Sonoma.

Microsoft frequently releases updates to address performance bugs on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3). If the latest version is causing the freezing, reverting to the immediate previous build can temporarily bypass the issue until a permanent fix is deployed.

Check for Updates

Open Excel, navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' to install the latest available patches.

Revert to an Earlier Build

If updating does not work, visit the official Microsoft Office for Mac update history page. Download the installer for a previous stable version and run it to replace the problematic build.

Keep Auto-Update Off: If you choose to revert to an older version, temporarily disable Microsoft AutoUpdate so the buggy version does not reinstall automatically.

Solution 2

Submit Feedback and Seek Administrator Support

Reporting the issue directly to the Microsoft product team helps prioritize a fix for M2 Macs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Smooth Performance on Mac

If Microsoft Excel continues to freeze and disrupt your workflow on your MacBook Pro M2, consider switching to WPS Office. It is highly optimized for macOS and Apple Silicon, delivering a fast, lightweight, and crash-free spreadsheet experience.

1. Download the Mac Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version, which automatically detects and optimizes for your M2 chip.
2. Install and Launch: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder, then launch the app.
3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Simply double-click your existing .xlsx files or use 'Open With' to start editing them flawlessly in WPS Spreadsheets.

Native support for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) ensuring rapid launch times and smooth scrollingExcellent compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats including .xlsx, .xls, and .csvLightweight application footprint that won't drain your Mac's memory or trigger the spinning cursorFamiliar tabbed user interface, allowing you to transition seamlessly without a steep learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel keep showing the spinning rainbow cursor on my new Mac?

The spinning rainbow cursor indicates that the application is unresponsive. On newer Macs, this is often caused by software compatibility bugs between recent Microsoft 365 updates and macOS Sonoma, rather than hardware limitations.

Will reverting to an older Excel version delete my files?

No, rolling back your Office for Mac application version only replaces the software build on your system. Your saved spreadsheets, documents, and personal data will remain completely intact.

How do I force quit Excel when it completely freezes?

If Excel is entirely unresponsive, press Command + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window. Select Microsoft Excel from the list and click 'Force Quit'. Be aware that any unsaved changes may be lost.

Excel & Data Problems