Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Excel Edit Custom Lists Window Not Opening

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to access the Edit Custom Lists window in Excel, as selecting the option unexpectedly returns them to the previous menu.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to open the settings menu to view, create, or modify custom lists for sorting and filling data.
Observed behavior: The Edit Custom Lists window fails to open entirely, and the application simply reverts back to the previous menu screen.

Before you start

Save all active workbooks and completely close Microsoft Excel. Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows account, as some troubleshooting steps require modifying system settings or creating new user profiles.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft Excel to the Latest Version

Applying the latest Office updates can resolve known bugs affecting the settings menus and user interface.

Open Excel Account Settings

Launch Microsoft Excel, click on 'File' in the top left corner, and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Check for Updates

Under the Product Information section, click on the 'Update Options' button.

Apply Updates

Select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu and wait for the Microsoft Office update process to complete, then restart Excel and test the Custom Lists window.

Solution 2

Run Excel in Safe Mode

Starting Excel in Safe Mode bypasses add-ins and custom settings, helping identify if a third-party extension is blocking the Custom Lists window.

Solution 3

Test with a New Windows User Profile

If your Windows user profile is corrupted, Excel may fail to load certain configuration windows. Creating a new profile helps rule out system-level corruption.

Easily Manage Custom Lists

Use WPS Spreadsheet to Manage Custom Lists Seamlessly

If your current spreadsheet software is experiencing menu glitches, WPS Office offers a stable, lightweight alternative. You can easily access and edit your custom lists directly from the settings menu without any profile corruption issues.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing spreadsheet document.
2. Access the Options Menu: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Options' from the drop-down list.
3. Navigate to Custom Lists: In the Options dialog box, select 'Custom Lists' from the left sidebar.
4. Create Your List: Type your list items directly into the 'List entries' box, separating each item with a comma or a new line, and click 'Add'.
5. Save Changes: Click 'OK' to save your new custom list, which can now be used for quick data filling and sorting in your worksheets.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) filesStable settings interface to quickly manage custom lists and sorting rulesLightweight application that uses minimal system resourcesFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate layout

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Edit Custom Lists button normally located in Excel?

In Microsoft Excel, you can find the Custom Lists feature by going to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the 'General' section and click the 'Edit Custom Lists...' button.

Why does Excel crash or close windows immediately after opening them?

This behavior is typically caused by outdated software installations, conflicting third-party COM add-ins, or corrupted Windows user profiles that prevent the application from loading dialog boxes properly.

Are my custom lists saved within the spreadsheet file?

No, custom lists are saved in your computer's registry and application profile rather than the individual workbook. If you switch computers, you will need to recreate or import the custom list.

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