How to Fix Excel 15.32 Compatibility Issues on macOS Monterey
Question details
Users are experiencing display problems and compatibility issues when running an outdated Excel installation (version 15.32) after upgrading their operating system to macOS Monterey.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Attempting to use an older build of Excel after performing a major macOS system upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- Excel 15.32 fails to render correctly, showing display glitches or refusing to operate smoothly due to OS-level incompatibilities.
Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection and completely close any running Microsoft Office applications before proceeding with the update.
Update Office Using Microsoft AutoUpdate
Updating the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool ensures your Office suite can connect to Microsoft servers and download the necessary compatibility patches for macOS Monterey.
Excel 15.32 is a legacy build that was not designed to run on the newer architecture of macOS Monterey. To fix this, you must update the core Microsoft AutoUpdate engine first, which will then facilitate the installation of the latest Excel version.
Navigate to the official Microsoft download link (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=830196) in your web browser to download the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate installation package.
Locate the downloaded .pkg file in your Mac's Downloads folder, double-click it, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the updated tool.
Open the newly installed Microsoft AutoUpdate application, click 'Check for Updates', and install all available Office updates. Once completed, click the Apple menu and restart your Mac.
Reset Excel Preferences to Default Settings
If updating the application does not fully resolve the display issues, corrupted preference files from the older version might be causing conflicts.
Switch to WPS Office for Seamless macOS Compatibility
If you are tired of dealing with update loops and compatibility errors on older Microsoft Office builds, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free, and highly compatible alternative that works flawlessly on macOS Monterey and newer Apple Silicon machines.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version of the software.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Excel files without worrying about formatting loss or display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Excel 15.32 experiencing display problems on macOS Monterey?
Excel 15.32 is an older build that lacks the necessary optimization and software frameworks required by macOS Monterey. This incompatibility leads to visual glitches, missing interface elements, and potential application crashes.
Will I lose my existing spreadsheets if I update Microsoft AutoUpdate and Excel?
No, updating Microsoft AutoUpdate and the Office suite only replaces the application files. Your personal spreadsheets, documents, and data stored on your Mac will remain completely untouched.
Where can I manually check for updates if AutoUpdate isn't working?
If AutoUpdate fails to launch automatically, you can trigger it manually by opening Microsoft Word or Excel, clicking on 'Help' in the top Apple menu bar, and selecting 'Check for Updates'.
What should I do if my Mac cannot upgrade to a newer version of Excel?
If your Office license does not support newer versions of Excel, or if you prefer not to purchase a new subscription, you can install a free alternative like WPS Office to continue editing your .xlsx files on macOS Monterey.
