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How to Fix Excel Closing When Opening XLSM Files After Update
Question details
Excel shuts down immediately without error messages when attempting to open certain XLSM (macro-enabled) workbooks.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening OneDrive-synced XLSM files after updating Microsoft Office to a newer build (such as version 2205).
- Observed behavior
- The application crashes or closes instantly, even in Safe Mode. The Windows event log typically identifies the faulting module as mso20win32client.dll. Files stored locally generally open without issue, while OneDrive copies crash the app.
Check your OneDrive folder and make a local copy of the affected XLSM file to your Desktop before proceeding, as this can often temporarily bypass the crash and let you access your data.
Install the Latest Microsoft 365 Updates
Microsoft frequently releases patches to address update-breaking bugs. Installing the newest Office build is the most reliable way to resolve the mso20win32client.dll crash.
Since the issue was introduced by a specific Office update (like build 15225.20288), rolling forward to a newer version where the bug is patched is highly recommended.
Launch Microsoft Excel and open a new blank workbook. Do not attempt to open the problematic XLSM file yet.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Click the 'Update Options' drop-down button and select 'Update Now'. Allow Office to download and install any pending updates, then restart your computer.
Move the XLSM File to a Local Drive
Bypassing OneDrive synchronization can prevent the crash from triggering when opening the macro-enabled file.
Repair Office and Restore File Version
If the crash corrupted the workbook or the Office installation itself, a repair and version restore will recover your work.
Edit Macro-Enabled Workbooks Reliably with WPS Office
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash after recent updates, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight environment for your spreadsheets with excellent compatibility for Microsoft formats, allowing you to bypass update-related bugs.
- 1. Download and Install: Click the download button to get the free version of WPS Office and follow the installation prompts.
- 2. Launch WPS Spreadsheets: Open the WPS Office suite and select 'Spreadsheets' from the main dashboard.
- 3. Open Your XLSM File: Go to Menu > Open, navigate to your OneDrive or local folder, and select your XLSM file to resume your work safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel crash specifically with XLSM files on OneDrive?
Recent Office updates (such as build 15225.20288) introduced a bug affecting the mso20win32client.dll component. This bug triggers a crash when Excel attempts to parse macros in XLSM files that are actively syncing with OneDrive.
Will opening Excel in Safe Mode fix this crashing issue?
In this specific update-related bug, Safe Mode often does not prevent the crash because the fault lies within the core DLL handling the file sync and macro execution. Updating Office or moving the file locally is more effective.
Can I recover my XLSM file if it became corrupted during the crash?
Yes, because the file is stored on OneDrive, you can right-click the file in File Explorer or OneDrive online and select 'Version history' to restore a previously working, uncorrupted version of your workbook.
