'%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)
How to Fix Excel Slow and Crashing After macOS Sonoma 14.5 Upgrade
Question details
The user experiences slow performance, frequent crashes, and keyboard issues in Microsoft Excel after upgrading their Mac to macOS Sonoma 14.5.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Sonoma 14.5
- Scenario
- Using Excel for spreadsheet tasks immediately following a macOS system upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- Excel runs extremely slowly, crashes frequently, and exhibits erratic keyboard input problems.
Ensure you have manually saved all open workbooks and completely quit the Microsoft Excel application. It is also recommended to verify that any cloud-based files are fully synced to OneDrive before proceeding with troubleshooting.
Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Excel on macOS
Performing a clean reinstallation of Excel is an effective way to fix performance issues and crashes caused by the macOS Sonoma 14.5 update, without risking the loss of your saved files.
System updates can sometimes disrupt existing application files or create compatibility conflicts with older cached data. A fresh installation of Excel can efficiently resolve these system-level conflicts.
Uninstalling the Excel application will strictly remove the software itself. It will not delete or modify your saved workbooks, regardless of whether they are stored locally on your Mac hard drive or synchronized via OneDrive.
Ensure the application is completely closed. If Excel is frozen, click the Apple menu, select 'Force Quit', choose Microsoft Excel, and confirm.
Open Finder and navigate to the 'Applications' folder. Locate Microsoft Excel, right-click (or Control-click) the application, and select 'Move to Trash'. Empty the Trash to completely remove the application files.
Open the Mac App Store or log into your Microsoft account via a web browser to download and install the latest, Sonoma-compatible version of Microsoft Excel.
Experience Stable Spreadsheet Performance on macOS with WPS Office
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash or run slowly on macOS Sonoma, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable, and free alternative that features excellent format compatibility and a familiar user interface for a seamless transition.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing .xlsx or .xls files to continue working without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Excel files if I uninstall the application on my Mac?
No. Uninstalling the Microsoft Excel application solely removes the program files. It does not affect your local documents or cloud-stored workbooks. Your files will remain perfectly intact and accessible once you reinstall the software.
Why is Excel crashing only after the macOS Sonoma 14.5 update?
Major macOS updates can occasionally alter system libraries or permissions, leading to temporary compatibility issues with existing application cache files. Updating to the latest Excel version or performing a clean reinstallation usually resolves these system-level conflicts.
How can I safely back up my workbooks before reinstalling Excel?
If your files are stored locally, simply copy your workbook folders to an external hard drive or upload them to a secure cloud service like OneDrive or iCloud Drive. Make sure all active sync processes have fully completed before you uninstall the application.
What should I do if reinstalling Excel doesn't fix the slow performance on Sonoma?
If a fresh installation does not resolve the issue, try booting your Mac in Safe Mode to identify potential interference from background applications, or consider using a stable, lightweight alternative like WPS Office.
