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Fix Excel for Mac Not Showing Option to Open Local Files
Question details
The user is unable to open files stored locally on their Mac because Excel only displays connected cloud drives and completely hides local directory options.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to browse and open locally stored spreadsheets from within the Excel for Mac application.
- Observed behavior
- Excel for Mac fails to show the 'On My Mac' or local desktop locations in the Open menu, exclusively displaying connected cloud drives such as school accounts.
Verify your current version of Microsoft Excel for Mac by clicking 'Excel' in the top menu bar and selecting 'About Microsoft Excel' to see if you are running the affected version 16.77.
Update Excel or Join the Current Channel Preview
Since this is a known bug introduced in version 16.77, installing the newest patch or switching to the Preview channel will apply the official software fix.
Microsoft actively releases patches to fix known navigation pane bugs. Upgrading your application will restore the missing local file options.
Open Microsoft Excel on your Mac. In the top Apple menu bar, click on 'Help' and select 'Check for Updates'.
If a standard update is unavailable, click the 'Advanced' button and change the update channel to 'Current Channel Preview'.
Check for updates once more to download the preview patch, install it, and restart Excel.
Open Local Files Directly Through Finder
Bypass the bugged Excel 'Open' menu entirely by using macOS Finder to locate and launch your spreadsheets.
Try WPS Office to Easily Access Local and Cloud Files
If routine Microsoft Excel bugs are preventing you from accessing local files, WPS Office is a highly compatible and lightweight alternative. It seamlessly handles both local directories and cloud storage, offering native support for all Microsoft Office formats without the glitchy updates.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the macOS installer, and install the application.
- 2. Browse Local Files Easily: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and effortlessly browse your Mac's local directories or desktop.
- 3. Save in Excel Format: Edit your spreadsheets and save them directly as .xlsx files to maintain perfect compatibility with other users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the option to open local files disappear in Excel for Mac?
This was caused by a known software bug introduced in Microsoft Office version 16.77, which caused the application to inadvertently hide the 'On My Mac' pane and only display connected cloud drives.
How can I report this file access bug to Microsoft?
You can report the issue to the development team by opening Excel and navigating to 'Help' > 'Feedback' in the top macOS menu bar.
Can I still access my Excel files without updating the software?
Yes. While the in-app 'Open' menu may be broken, you can bypass it entirely by locating your files using the macOS Finder and double-clicking them to open.
