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How to Fix Excel for Mac 16.85 Resource and Calculation Errors
Question details
Users experience resource exhaustion errors, workbook freezing, slow calculations, and missing functions (such as MAXIFS) after updating to Excel for Mac 16.85.
- Product
- Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS (e.g., Ventura 13.6.7)
- Scenario
- Opening large workbooks or attempting to calculate complex formulas after upgrading the Excel application.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays 'Excel ran out of resources while attempting to calculate one or more formulas', calculations freeze, or specific formulas suddenly become unavailable in the formula builder.
Before proceeding, save a backup copy of your affected workbook and ensure your macOS system is fully updated to avoid overlapping compatibility issues.
Install the Revised Excel 16.85.2 Update
Microsoft has released a patch (16.85.2 or newer) to specifically address the calculation bugs and missing functions introduced in version 16.85.
The issues with formula calculation limits and missing features like MAXIFS are known bugs in the 16.85 build. Applying the latest hotfix provided by Microsoft is the most effective way to permanently resolve the issue.
Launch Excel on your Mac. Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates'.
Look for version 16.85.2 or later in the update list. Click 'Update' to begin downloading and installing the patch.
Once the installation is complete, completely restart your Mac to ensure all background Excel services are refreshed before reopening your workbook.
Temporarily Set Workbook Calculation to Manual
Switching to manual calculation stops Excel from processing the entire workbook every time you make a small edit, allowing you to bypass the resource error while troubleshooting.
Test the Workbook in Excel for the Web
Opening the file in the web version isolates the problem to the Mac desktop application, verifying that your workbook's formulas are actually intact.
Try WPS Office to Edit Mac Spreadsheets Without Errors
If Excel for Mac keeps freezing, running out of resources, or failing to calculate due to recent update bugs, WPS Office is a completely free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for macOS.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite, then open WPS Spreadsheet.
- 3. Open Your Workbook: Drag and drop your existing .xlsx file into WPS Spreadsheet to continue calculating your data smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did functions like MAXIFS disappear in my Excel for Mac?
The version 16.85 update introduced a known software bug that temporarily disrupted support for certain newer functions in the formula builder. Upgrading to version 16.85.2 or higher restores these missing functions.
What does 'Excel ran out of resources' mean?
This error signifies that your Mac's memory or CPU is struggling to process the workbook's calculation chain. While it can be caused by infinite formula loops or excessively complex nested IFs, in version 16.85, it is frequently triggered by a glitch in the application itself.
How do I fix the resource error if the update isn't available in my region yet?
If version 16.85.2 hasn't rolled out to your Microsoft AutoUpdate region, you can temporarily switch your calculation mode to Manual via Excel Preferences, edit your file using Excel for the Web, or roll back to version 16.84 using Time Machine until the patch arrives.
