Can Excel 2021 for Mac Use ActiveX Controls? Support and Mac Alternatives
Question details
The user wants to know whether Excel 2021 for Mac supports ActiveX controls and which built-in or VBA alternatives can provide similar interactive functionality.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2021 for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- A Mac user needs to add interactive controls such as buttons, check boxes, combo boxes, or list boxes to an Excel workbook.
- Observed behavior
- ActiveX controls cannot be enabled in Excel 2021 for Mac because the full Windows Developer controls are not supported on macOS.
Confirm that you are running Excel 2021 for Mac and display the Developer tab before attempting to insert Form Controls or open the Visual Basic Editor.
Use Built-in Form Controls in Excel 2021 for Mac
Best for most interactive spreadsheet needs because Form Controls are natively supported on Mac and do not require ActiveX.
In Excel 2021 for Mac, go to Excel menu > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar, select Developer, and save the setting.
Click the Developer tab, then click Insert in the Controls group to open the Form Controls menu.
Choose a Button, Check Box, Combo Box, List Box, or Spin Button from the gallery, then drag on the worksheet to draw the control.
Control-click or right-click the control and select Assign Macro to connect it to VBA code, or select Format Control to change its behavior and appearance.
If the workbook uses macros, go to File > Save As and choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm) to preserve the functionality.
Use Mac-Compatible VBA Automation
Use this when you need custom logic, data validation, or automation beyond a simple form control, because Excel 2021 for Mac supports VBA even though it does not support ActiveX controls.
WPS Office: Free Excel-Compatible Alternative for Mac
If Excel 2021 for Mac does not support ActiveX controls, WPS Office gives Mac users a free, lightweight spreadsheet alternative with familiar formulas, macros, and .xlsx/.xlsm compatibility without requiring Windows-only controls.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Go to the WPS Office download page and download the free Mac version.
- 2. Install and launch WPS Office: Open the downloaded installer, drag WPS Office to Applications, and launch the app.
- 3. Open an Excel workbook: In WPS Spreadsheets, click Open and choose an existing .xlsx or .xlsm file, or create a new spreadsheet.
- 4. Use built-in tools and macros: Use the ribbon commands, form controls, and macro features in WPS Spreadsheets to continue working without ActiveX dependencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find ActiveX controls in Excel 2021 for Mac?
Excel for Mac does not include the Windows Developer controls for ActiveX. ActiveX is a Windows COM-based technology, so Microsoft does not enable it in Excel 2021 for Mac. Use Form Controls or VBA macros instead.
Can I run an Excel file that already contains ActiveX controls on Mac?
You can usually open the workbook, but the ActiveX controls themselves may not work or may appear as unsupported objects on Mac. Form Controls and cell data are safer for cross-platform workbooks.
What is the difference between Form Controls and ActiveX controls in Excel?
Form Controls are built into Excel, simpler to configure, and supported on Mac. ActiveX controls offer more customization and Windows-specific properties but are not supported in Excel for Mac.
Does Excel 2021 for Mac support VBA macros?
Yes. Excel 2021 for Mac supports VBA macros, so you can create custom routines from Developer > Visual Basic and run them from Developer > Macros, although Windows-only ActiveX controls and some APIs are unavailable.
Can WPS Office enable ActiveX controls in Excel files on Mac?
WPS Office is a free alternative for opening and editing Excel workbooks, but it is not a Windows ActiveX runtime. In WPS Spreadsheets, use native form tools and macro automation instead.
