Fix Missing Images in Excel for Mac with Apple Silicon
Question details
Images pasted into Excel workbooks disappear when navigating between worksheets.
- Product
- Excel for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M1 Pro)
- Scenario
- Pasting images into a spreadsheet and switching between different worksheets.
- Observed behavior
- Images disappear entirely after switching worksheets. They temporarily reappear if the worksheet zoom level is adjusted, but the issue persists upon further navigation.
Ensure you save your current workbooks and completely quit the Microsoft Excel application before modifying system container folders to prevent data loss.
Remove the Corrupted Excel Application Container
Deleting the Microsoft Excel container folder forces the app to rebuild its cache, which resolves display glitches on Macs with Apple Silicon.
This method clears temporary configuration and cache files associated with Excel. It is completely safe and will not delete your saved spreadsheet documents.
Ensure Excel is fully closed. Right-click the Excel icon in your Mac's Dock and select Quit.
Click on your desktop or open Finder. Press the Command + Shift + G keys simultaneously to open the 'Go to Folder' search bar.
Type the exact path ~/Library/Containers/microsoft excel into the prompt and press Return.
Move the 'microsoft excel' folder to the Trash. Empty your Trash if necessary.
Launch Microsoft Excel again. The application will automatically generate a fresh container. Open your workbook and switch worksheets to confirm the images no longer disappear.
Test with a New macOS User Account
If removing the container does not fix the issue, testing in a new user profile helps determine if the glitch is caused by system-wide conflicts or corrupted user-specific settings.
Try WPS Office for a Flawless Spreadsheet Experience on Mac
Tired of display glitches and disappearing images in Excel? WPS Office provides a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative optimized for seamless performance on Apple Silicon Macs.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website to download the native Mac version optimized for Apple Silicon.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the straightforward installation process and open WPS Spreadsheet.
- 3. Open Your Workbook: Import your existing .xlsx files and navigate between your worksheets without display errors or missing images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do images disappear in Excel on my M1 Mac?
This issue is often caused by corrupted cache files in the Microsoft Excel application container that fail to correctly render graphics when utilizing Apple Silicon processors.
Will deleting the Microsoft Excel container erase my spreadsheets?
No, deleting the container folder only clears local caches and application preferences. Your saved workbooks and personal data remain completely intact.
How do I fix the display if changing the zoom level only works temporarily?
While zooming in and out forces a temporary screen refresh, a permanent fix requires completely quitting Excel and deleting the corrupted application container folder located at ~/Library/Containers/microsoft excel.
