Fix Excel for Mac EXC_BAD_ACCESS Crashes Caused by Add-ins
Question details
The user needs to stop Microsoft Excel for Mac 16.37 from repeatedly crashing with EXC_BAD_ACCESS and KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS errors that reference the VBA module, likely due to Office add-ins.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Using Excel for Mac with installed Office add-ins such as Adobe Acrobat, EndNote, or Mendeley.
- Observed behavior
- Excel repeatedly crashes with EXC_BAD_ACCESS and KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS errors, and the crash report references the VBA module in Excel 16.37.
Before troubleshooting, note which Office add-ins are installed and make sure you can update or remove them. Quit Excel completely from Activity Monitor if it is still running.
Update or Remove the Adobe Acrobat Office Add-in
Use this solution when Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader is installed, because the Adobe Office add-in frequently causes Excel 16.37 VBA crashes on macOS.
Adobe Acrobat installs an Office add-in that can conflict with the Excel VBA module, producing EXC_BAD_ACCESS or KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS errors. Updating Adobe first is less disruptive than removing it.
In Excel for Mac, click the Tools menu and select Excel Add-ins to see whether an Adobe Acrobat or Adobe PDFMaker add-in is listed and enabled.
Open Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader, click Help > Check for Updates, install available updates, then restart your Mac and test Excel.
If the crash continues, open Adobe Acrobat preferences and disable the Office add-in, or go to Finder > Applications and move Adobe Acrobat to the Trash. Contact Adobe Support for version-specific removal steps if needed.
Check and Remove EndNote or Mendeley Office Add-ins
Use this solution when Adobe is not installed or the crash continues after Adobe has been updated, as reference managers also install Office add-ins.
Disable All Excel Add-ins to Isolate the Crash
Use this solution to confirm that an add-in is causing the crash and to identify the specific add-in by re-enabling them one at a time.
Use WPS Office as a Lightweight Excel Alternative for Mac When Excel Add-ins Keep Crashing
WPS Office gives Mac users a free, lightweight office suite that opens and edits Excel workbooks without the unstable third-party Office add-ins that cause EXC_BAD_ACCESS in Microsoft Excel. It keeps a familiar ribbon interface and supports Microsoft Office formats for an easy migration.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Click Download WPS Office Free on the WPS website and install WPS Office on your Mac.
- 2. Open your workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, select WPS Spreadsheets, and open the .xlsx or .xls file that was crashing in Microsoft Excel.
- 3. Work without Excel add-in conflicts: Use the familiar ribbon in WPS Spreadsheets to edit formulas, charts, and formatting while opening and saving in Microsoft Excel-compatible formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EXC_BAD_ACCESS mean in Excel for Mac?
EXC_BAD_ACCESS is a memory access failure. In Excel for Mac 16.37, it often appears with KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS when an Office add-in conflicts with the VBA module.
How do I find which add-in is causing Excel to crash on Mac?
Open Excel for Mac, go to Tools > Excel Add-ins, disable all add-ins, restart Excel, and re-enable them one at a time. Also check Adobe Acrobat, EndNote, and Mendeley because they install common Office add-ins.
Can I keep Adobe Acrobat installed and still fix the Excel crash?
Yes. First update Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader from Help > Check for Updates. If Excel still crashes, disable the Adobe Office add-in in Adobe preferences or contact Adobe Support for removal instructions.
How do I remove an EndNote or Mendeley add-in from Excel for Mac?
Open Finder > Applications, locate EndNote or Mendeley Desktop, and use the provider's uninstall instructions or move the app to the Trash. Restart your Mac and test Excel to confirm the crash is gone.
Will WPS Spreadsheets open Excel files created on Mac?
Yes. WPS Spreadsheets opens, edits, and saves .xlsx, .xls, and .csv files, so you can keep working with Excel workbooks without the Microsoft Excel add-in crash.
