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Fix Excel Crashing Immediately After Upgrading to macOS 15.1
Question details
Users are experiencing immediate crashes when attempting to launch Microsoft Excel after performing a system update to macOS 15.1.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS 15.1
- Scenario
- Opening Microsoft Excel after upgrading to a new macOS version.
- Observed behavior
- Excel crashes immediately upon launch. Standard troubleshooting steps like reinstalling the Office suite and reinstalling macOS have initially failed to resolve the problem.
Ensure you are logged into your Mac with administrator privileges and have a stable internet connection before running system utilities or downloading software updates.
Verify and Update Your Microsoft Office Version
Checking your current Excel build and applying the latest Microsoft Office patches often resolves compatibility issues introduced by a new macOS release.
Major operating system upgrades can render older versions of Microsoft Excel unstable. It is crucial to verify that you are running a version of Office that is fully compatible with macOS 15.1.
Open a Finder window and navigate to the 'Applications' folder on your Mac.
Right-click (or Control-click) on the 'Microsoft Excel' application icon and select 'Get Info'. Note the version number.
Open a working Office application (like Word), click 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to install the latest patches.
Run Disk Utility First Aid
Use Apple's built-in Disk Utility tool to repair disk permissions and fix faulty OS installations caused by the recent system upgrade.
Reinstall macOS Using Apple Recovery
If First Aid and Office updates fail, safely reinstalling macOS from Recovery mode can fix deep-rooted system corruption without deleting personal data.
Try WPS Office for Mac When Excel Keeps Crashing
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash on your newly updated macOS, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet editor that runs smoothly on macOS 15.1, ensuring your workflow remains uninterrupted.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the Mac version of the software.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and instantly open your existing Excel documents to resume working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel crash immediately after upgrading to macOS 15.1?
Major macOS updates can introduce compatibility issues with older builds of Microsoft Office. Additionally, the system upgrade process might cause temporary permission errors or a faulty OS installation that disrupts Excel's launch sequence.
Will I lose my Excel files if I reinstall macOS from Recovery Mode?
No. Reinstalling macOS through the standard Recovery mode replaces the operating system files but leaves your personal files, user settings, and applications intact. However, it is always recommended to create a Time Machine backup first.
How do I check if my Microsoft Office is fully updated on Mac?
Open any functioning Office application like Word or PowerPoint, click on the 'Help' menu in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. This launches the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool, which will find and install any missing patches.
What should I do if Disk Utility First Aid finds errors it cannot repair?
If Disk Utility cannot repair the startup disk while you are logged in, you should restart your Mac into macOS Recovery mode and run Disk Utility from there. If the issue persists, you may need to erase the disk and restore your system from a backup.
