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How to Copy Excel Ribbon Customizations to a New Mac
Question details
Transfer customized Excel ribbon settings and application preferences from an older Mac to a new Mac device.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Setting up a new Mac computer and migrating existing Office application configurations.
- Observed behavior
- Users want their tailored Excel interface, including ribbon customizations, to remain intact on the new device without having to manually reconfigure them.
Ensure both your old and new Mac are connected to a stable network, plugged into a power source, and running compatible versions of Microsoft Office.
Use macOS Migration Assistant
The most reliable way to transfer Excel settings and customizations is by migrating your entire application and preference data during your initial Mac setup.
macOS Migration Assistant seamlessly transfers applications, user accounts, and hidden preference files (where Excel ribbon customizations are stored) from your old Mac to the new one.
On your new Mac, open 'Migration Assistant' from the Utilities folder within your Applications folder.
Choose the option to transfer 'From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk' and click Continue.
Open Migration Assistant on your old Mac, select the option to transfer to another Mac, and ensure the security codes match on both screens.
When prompted to choose information to transfer, ensure that 'Applications' and 'System & Network' (which includes preference files) are checked, then click Continue.
Once the migration is complete, open Microsoft Excel on your new Mac, sign in to your Microsoft account if prompted, and verify that your ribbon customizations are present.
Sync via Microsoft Account
Use your Microsoft Account to ensure your connected services and some personalized Office settings carry over.
Try WPS Office for Mac for a Seamless Experience
Moving to a new Mac is the perfect time to switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your spreadsheets open perfectly on your new device while saving storage space.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Launch and Enjoy: Open WPS Office, sign in to sync your preferences, and start editing your spreadsheets immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Excel add-ins transfer to the new Mac?
Some add-ins may transfer automatically via Migration Assistant. However, third-party add-ins might require you to re-authenticate or reinstall them on the new Mac to function correctly.
Can I export Mac Excel ribbon settings to a file?
Unlike the Windows version of Excel, which allows you to export ribbon customizations as a .exportedUI file, Excel for Mac stores these locally in system preference files. This makes macOS Migration Assistant the most effective way to transfer them.
Why didn't my Excel settings sync automatically when I signed in?
Microsoft account sync primarily manages your connected cloud services, subscription status, and file history. Detailed local user interface changes, like ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar customizations on a Mac, depend on local application support files.
