VBA & Macro Problems

How to Fix Visual Basic Error 485 in Microsoft Excel for Mac

John Wilson Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve Visual Basic Error 485, which prevents macros from running properly in Microsoft Excel for Mac.

How to Resolve Visual Basic Error 485 in Excel for Mac

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening macro-enabled workbooks or launching the application with incompatible add-ins loaded.
Observed behavior: Excel displays VBA Error 485, usually triggered by incompatible add-ins, startup macros, invalid VBA references, or Windows-specific code that cannot execute on macOS.

Before you start

Save your current workbook progress and note that some Windows-specific macro features, such as ActiveX controls, are fundamentally unsupported on macOS and will need to be removed or replaced.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Incompatible Add-ins and Clear the XLSTART Folder

Prevent potentially broken or Windows-only add-ins from loading automatically when Excel starts, which is a primary cause of Error 485.

Excel for Mac loads specific add-ins and workbooks immediately upon launch. If any of these contain Windows-only VBA references, Error 485 will trigger before you even open a file.

Access Excel Add-ins

Open Excel for Mac. Go to the top menu bar, click on 'Tools', and select 'Excel Add-ins'.

Disable Active Add-ins

Uncheck all the boxes next to your active add-ins and click 'OK'. Restart Excel to see if the error is resolved.

Locate the XLSTART Folder

Open Finder, press 'Cmd + Shift + G' to open the 'Go to Folder' prompt, and enter the path: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Excel/

Clear Startup Files

Move any files found inside the XLSTART folder to your Desktop temporarily. Relaunch Excel to confirm the startup error is gone.

Disable Incompatible Add-ins and Clear the XLSTART Folder

Isolate the Problem File: If clearing the add-ins or XLSTART folder fixes the issue, add your files back one by one to identify exactly which macro or add-in is causing Error 485.

Solution 2

Fix Invalid VBA References and Windows-Specific Code

Remove missing libraries from your Visual Basic Editor and replace Windows-exclusive APIs with Mac-compatible code.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Cross-Platform Spreadsheet Work

If macro incompatibility in Excel for Mac continues to disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust spreadsheet capabilities, excellent compatibility with standard Microsoft formats, and a smooth, lightweight user experience across all major operating systems.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free, lightweight installer for your operating system.
2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel workbooks seamlessly, without any complex format conversions.
3. Work with Familiar Tools: Enjoy editing your data, managing formulas, and creating charts using a highly intuitive interface.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsLightweight and fast to launch on Windows, macOS, and LinuxFamiliar ribbon interface for a zero-learning-curve transitionFree integrated PDF tools alongside powerful spreadsheet features

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Error 485 only appear on my Mac and not on my Windows PC?

Error 485 typically occurs on Mac because the workbook contains VBA code that relies on Windows-specific libraries, such as ActiveX controls or COM add-ins. Because macOS operates differently, these Windows components are not supported, triggering the error.

Can I run ActiveX controls in Excel for Mac?

No. ActiveX is a proprietary Microsoft Windows technology and is fundamentally incompatible with macOS. To fix workbooks relying on ActiveX, you must replace them with standard Form Controls found in the Developer tab.

What is the XLSTART folder used for?

The XLSTART folder is a specific system directory where any Excel files or add-ins placed inside will automatically open whenever you launch Excel. If a file in this folder has incompatible macros, it will cause startup errors like Error 485.

Can AppleScript completely replace VBA in Excel for Mac?

Not entirely. Excel for Mac natively supports VBA for standard spreadsheet automation. However, AppleScript is highly useful for handling macOS system-level automations and specific file operations that Windows-centric VBA cannot execute natively on a Mac.

Excel & Data Problems