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How to Remove an Old Microsoft 365 Account from Excel on iPad
Question details
The user needs to remove a previous Microsoft 365 work account from the Excel app on an iPad in order to sign in with a new account.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for iPad
- Device & OS
- iPad
- Scenario
- Attempting to switch user accounts or log in with a new Microsoft 365 account on the Excel iPad application.
- Observed behavior
- The Excel app repeatedly prompts for the old work account credentials and blocks new account sign-ins, persisting even after uninstalling the app and rebooting the device.
Ensure all your recent edits in Excel are synced or saved locally, as resetting app credentials will clear your current session and unsynced changes may be lost.
Reset Excel App Credentials in iPad Settings
Use the built-in iOS Settings app to force-clear Excel's cached login data, which naturally survives standard app uninstallations.
On iOS and iPadOS, application login credentials are often stored in the device's secure Keychain. This means simply deleting and reinstalling the Microsoft Excel app will not clear the old work account. You must manually clear the application data using the device settings.
Navigate to your iPad's home screen and open the native 'Settings' app (the gear icon).
Scroll down the left-hand menu until you find the alphabetical list of installed apps. Tap on 'Excel'.
Under the Excel settings on the right side of the screen, tap on the 'Reset Excel' option.
Find the toggle switch for 'Clear Sign-In Credentials' and turn it to the ON (green) position. Leave 'Clear All Spreadsheets' off unless you want to delete your local files.
Force close the Settings app. Launch the Excel app again from your home screen. You will now be prompted with a fresh login screen where you can enter your new Microsoft 365 account details.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Spreadsheet Experience
If you are tired of dealing with persistent login issues and cached credentials in Microsoft Excel, WPS Office offers a seamless, lightweight alternative for your iPad. Enjoy full spreadsheet functionality without complex account restrictions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the iPad App Store and install the application for free.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and use the built-in file manager to locate and open your existing Excel files directly on your iPad.
- 3. Edit and Save Seamlessly: Edit your documents using familiar tools and save them locally or sync them to your preferred cloud storage without restrictive login prompts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't deleting the Excel app remove my old account?
iPadOS saves app data and login credentials in the device's secure Keychain. Simply deleting and reinstalling the app retrieves these saved credentials from the Keychain, which is why a manual reset from the iPad Settings app is required.
Can I manage multiple Microsoft 365 accounts in Excel for iPad?
While you can add multiple connected cloud storage services (like different OneDrive accounts), the Excel app typically allows you to be actively signed in with only one primary Microsoft 365 license account at a time for editing permissions.
Will resetting Excel delete my local spreadsheets?
If you only toggle 'Clear Sign-In Credentials' in the iPad Settings reset menu, your local files will remain safe. However, if you also toggle 'Clear All Spreadsheets', any unsaved offline files will be permanently deleted from the device.
