Office for Mac Issues

Fix Excel Search Result Row Highlighting Missing on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue in Excel for Mac where rows containing search results are no longer highlighted after using the Find feature, specifically following the 16.93.1 update.

Product: Microsoft Excel for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Searching for data using the Find function after updating Excel to version 16.93.1.
Observed behavior: The row highlighting that typically identifies the search result location has disappeared.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all active workbooks and check if the search result highlighting issue persists across all files or just a specific spreadsheet.

Solution 1Recommended

Restart Mac and Reset Excel Ribbon Preferences

A system restart combined with resetting the Excel Ribbon tab can resolve temporary display glitches introduced by recent updates.

Sometimes, updating to a new version of Excel for Mac can corrupt temporary interface preferences. Resetting the View tab specifically targets the display settings associated with the search highlights.

Restart Your Mac

Save all your active workbooks and completely restart your Mac to clear temporary system caches.

Open Excel Preferences

Launch Excel. Click on 'Excel' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Preferences'.

Access Ribbon & Toolbar Settings

In the Preferences window, click on 'Ribbon & Toolbar'.

Reset the View Tab

Select 'View' in the right column, choose to reset the tab to its default settings, and then restart Excel to apply the changes.

Check Your Excel License: To verify if your update applied correctly to your Microsoft 365 subscription, go to Excel > About Microsoft Excel to confirm your current version and license type.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac to Avoid Update Glitches

If Microsoft Excel bugs are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight, and completely free spreadsheet application that flawlessly handles your data without annoying graphical glitches.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the lightweight installer for macOS.
2. Install the Application: Follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your Mac.
3. Open Your Excel File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file to instantly search your data without highlighting issues.

Free to use with a lightweight installation packageHigh stability on macOS with reliable search functionalities100% compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv)Familiar ribbon interface ensures zero learning curve for seamless migration

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the search result row highlighting disappear in Excel for Mac?

This is typically caused by a display glitch or corrupt preference file introduced during a recent software update, such as version 16.93.1. Resetting the Ribbon preferences often resolves it.

How do I check my exact Excel version and license type on a Mac?

Open Excel, click on 'Excel' in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'About Microsoft Excel'. A dialog box will display your version number and license details (e.g., Microsoft 365 Subscription).

Does resetting the Ribbon and Toolbar delete my macros or data?

No, resetting the Ribbon and Toolbar only restores the default layout and visual settings of the user interface. Your workbooks, macros, and personal data remain completely unaffected.

What should I do if resetting the View tab does not bring back row highlighting?

If the issue persists, ensure macOS is fully updated. You can also try booting your Mac in Safe Mode to isolate background app conflicts, or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office until Microsoft releases a patch for the bug.

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