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How to Fix Excel Crashes and Slow Performance on macOS Sonoma
Question details
Users are experiencing severe performance drops and repeated application crashes when using Microsoft Excel after upgrading their Mac to macOS Sonoma.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Sonoma
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft Excel for daily spreadsheet tasks on a Mac recently updated to macOS Sonoma.
- Observed behavior
- Excel becomes extremely slow, fails to register keyboard inputs (such as the spacebar), and crashes repeatedly, often displaying an EXC_BAD_ACCESS error in the system crash reports.
Ensure you have saved and backed up all your open spreadsheet files, and verify that your Mac has a stable internet connection to download any required software updates or installers.
Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Excel
A clean removal and reinstallation of the Excel application is the most effective way to resolve specific software bugs and corrupted files causing crashes on macOS.
Often, residual files from older versions of Excel conflict with macOS Sonoma. Removing the app completely and reinstalling a fresh copy ensures you have the latest compatibility patches.
Open Finder and navigate to your Applications folder. Scroll down, right-click on 'Microsoft Excel.app', and select 'Move to Trash'.
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart' to clear your system's temporary cache.
Once your Mac has rebooted, right-click the Trash icon on your Dock and choose 'Empty Trash' to permanently delete the corrupted application files.
Go to the Mac App Store or log into your Microsoft account online to download and run the latest Microsoft Excel installer for Mac.
Use the Microsoft License Removal Tool and Reinstall Office
If reinstalling just Excel does not work, a complete removal of the entire Office suite and its licenses can fix deeper underlying system conflicts.
Update macOS and Microsoft Office
Software bugs causing crashes are frequently patched in the latest minor updates provided by Apple and Microsoft.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Mac Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash or lag on macOS Sonoma, WPS Office provides a highly stable, lightweight, and free alternative. It is perfectly optimized for Mac and fully compatible with all your existing Excel files.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder to install it.
- 3. Open Your Existing Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing .xlsx files to resume your work instantly without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel show an EXC_BAD_ACCESS error on my Mac?
This error typically indicates that the application attempted to access memory improperly. On macOS, this can happen due to corrupted application files, outdated software conflicting with a new OS update like Sonoma, or interference from background applications. Reinstalling the app usually resolves it.
Will uninstalling Excel delete my saved spreadsheets?
No, moving the Microsoft Excel application to the Trash only deletes the software program itself. Your spreadsheets and data files stored in your Documents folder, Desktop, or cloud drives will remain completely intact and unaffected.
Why can't I insert a space using my keyboard in Excel after the macOS Sonoma update?
Unresponsive keyboard inputs in Excel after a major OS update are usually a symptom of the software freezing or a localized application glitch. Updating Excel to the latest version or performing a clean reinstallation typically restores normal keyboard functionality.
Can third-party Mac apps interfere with Excel?
Yes, certain background utilities, antivirus software, or clipboard managers can conflict with Excel's processes, leading to slow performance or crashes. You can try booting your Mac in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists, which helps identify if conflicting background software is the root cause.
