Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Excel Sign-Out Problems After Switching Accounts

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to sign out of Excel completely after switching Microsoft accounts due to cached credentials.

How to Fix Excel Sign-Out Problems After Switching Accounts

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Switching between different Microsoft accounts in Excel.
Observed behavior: Excel continues using cached credentials, reconnects to the previous account, and prevents correct sign-out.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have the login email and password for the correct Microsoft account you intend to use, and save any open workbooks to avoid data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign Out and Clear Windows Credential Manager

Manually sign out of all accounts in Excel and remove cached Microsoft credentials from Windows to force a clean sign-in.

Windows stores your account login details to make signing into Microsoft apps faster. However, when you switch accounts, these stored credentials can cause a conflict, forcing Excel to automatically log back into the previous account. Clearing the Credential Manager forces Excel to ask for new login details.

Sign out from Excel

Open Excel, navigate to File > Account, and click 'Sign Out' for all listed Microsoft accounts.

Close all Office applications

Exit Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and any other running Microsoft Office programs to ensure files are not locked in the background.

Open Credential Manager

Press the Windows key, type 'Credential Manager' in the search bar, and press Enter to open the Windows tool.

Remove outdated credentials

Click on 'Windows Credentials'. Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section and look for any entries containing 'MicrosoftOffice', 'OneDrive', or 'Microsoft 365'. Click the down arrow next to them and select 'Remove'.

Restart and sign in

Restart your computer. Open Excel again and sign in with your correct Microsoft account credentials.

Work or School Accounts: If the issue persists, your organization's work or school account policies might be controlling Office sign-ins. You may need to disconnect the account in Windows Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

Tired of dealing with complicated account syncing and persistent login loops? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, letting you focus on your spreadsheets without frustrating sign-in errors.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer.
2. Install the software: Run the lightweight installer and follow the quick on-screen prompts to set up the software.
3. Open your existing spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx or .xls files directly with zero formatting loss.

No forced account sign-ins to edit or save your local files.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on all devices without heavy background sync processes.Familiar, intuitive user interface for a seamless transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel keep signing me back into my old account?

Excel often caches your previous Microsoft account credentials in the Windows Credential Manager to speed up logins. If these cached files aren't cleared, Excel may automatically bypass the login screen and reconnect to the old account.

Will clearing my credentials delete my Excel files?

No, clearing credentials from the Windows Credential Manager only removes your stored login tokens. Your locally saved Excel files and OneDrive documents remain completely intact and untouched.

What should I do if the 'Sign Out' button is missing in Excel?

If the Sign Out option is unavailable, it may be restricted by your organization's IT policy. You can try disconnecting the account via Windows Settings by navigating to 'Accounts' and selecting 'Access work or school'.

Login & Account Issues