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Fix Excel for Mac Not Opening (While Word and PowerPoint Work)
Question details
User is unable to open Microsoft Excel on a Mac, whereas other Office applications launch correctly, often accompanied by persistent keychain password prompts or Microsoft identity errors.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Ventura 13.3.1
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch the Excel application.
- Observed behavior
- Excel fails to open, crashes unexpectedly, or repeatedly asks for the login keychain password without accepting valid inputs.
Ensure your macOS and Microsoft 365 applications are updated to the latest versions, and have your local Mac administrator password ready for keychain troubleshooting.
Clear Outdated Microsoft Credentials from Keychain Access
Removing corrupted Microsoft identity credentials from the macOS Keychain often resolves startup loops and persistent password requests.
When Excel requests access to the 'login' keychain, it is asking for your Mac account password, not your Microsoft 365 password. If entering the correct Mac password repeatedly fails, the stored Office authentication tokens are likely corrupted.
Ensure Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook are completely closed on your Mac.
Open Finder, go to 'Applications', select 'Utilities', and double-click 'Keychain Access'.
In the search bar at the top right, type 'Microsoft Office'. Locate and delete any entries named 'Microsoft Office Identities Cache' and 'Microsoft Office Identities Settings'.
Restart your Mac, launch Excel, and follow the prompts to sign back in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.
Disable or Update Excel Add-ins
Outdated add-ins or code-signing certificate issues can cause Excel to crash immediately upon launch.
Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Microsoft 365
If keychain resets and add-in troubleshooting fail, a clean uninstallation resolves deep system conflicts.
Try WPS Office for Mac When Excel Keeps Crashing
If Microsoft Excel for Mac refuses to open due to persistent keychain loops or certificate errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, free, and lightweight spreadsheet alternative that avoids complex macOS identity cache issues.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the free macOS installer package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel files to continue your work without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel ask for my keychain password repeatedly?
This happens when Excel's stored authentication tokens in the macOS Keychain become corrupted. The system repeatedly tries and fails to verify the token. Deleting the existing 'Microsoft Office Identities' entries in Keychain Access forces a fresh login and resolves the prompt loop.
What password does the macOS login keychain prompt require?
When your Mac prompts for the 'login' keychain password, it requires your local Mac administrator or user account password, not your Microsoft 365 account password.
Will deleting Office keychain entries delete my Excel files?
No, deleting identity entries from Keychain Access only removes the saved login credentials. Your spreadsheets, documents, and application settings will remain completely safe on your local drive or cloud storage.
How do I open Excel for Mac in Safe Mode?
You can bypass corrupted settings and add-ins by holding down the 'Shift' key immediately after clicking the Excel application icon in your Dock or Applications folder. Keep holding it until the application fully launches.
