How to Fix Excel Crashing and Losing Data on iPad
Question details
The user is experiencing app crashes and data loss when using Microsoft Excel on an iPad.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- iPadOS (iPad)
- Scenario
- Editing or sending a workbook on an iPad.
- Observed behavior
- The Excel app freezes, crashes, and upon reopening, parts of the file or recent edits appear to be missing.
Ensure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and check if your iOS software is up to date. It is also highly recommended to manually save a copy of your current workbook to iCloud or your local device storage before proceeding.
Reset Excel App Settings and Credentials
Clearing the app's login credentials and resetting its settings can resolve freezing and syncing issues without deleting your local files.
Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen and pause in the middle. Swipe up on the Excel preview (and any other Office apps) to force close them.
Go to your iPad home screen and tap the 'Settings' app icon.
Scroll down the left pane of the Settings menu and tap on 'Excel'.
Under the Troubleshooting section on the right pane, tap 'Reset Excel'.
Toggle on the 'Delete Login Credentials' switch.
Reopen the Excel app, sign back into your Microsoft account, and check if the crashing issue is resolved.
Reinstall the Excel App
If resetting the app does not work, reinstalling Excel will provide a fresh installation and clear corrupted app data.
Try WPS Office for iPad to Edit Spreadsheets Reliably
Tired of Excel crashing on your iPad? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative that lets you view, edit, and create spreadsheets without losing your data. It perfectly supports Microsoft Office formats so you can pick up right where you left off.
- 1. Download the app: Install WPS Office from the App Store on your iPad.
- 2. Open your files: Launch the app and tap 'Files' to locate your existing Excel spreadsheets stored on iCloud or your device.
- 3. Edit seamlessly: Tap any .xlsx or .xls file to start editing smoothly without worrying about formatting or compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel app keep freezing on my iPad?
Excel may freeze due to corrupted login credentials, an outdated app version, insufficient iPad storage, or conflicts with heavily formatted workbooks. Resetting the app settings often resolves these underlying conflicts.
Will resetting Excel on my iPad delete my files?
No, resetting Excel and deleting login credentials through the iPad Settings will only clear your sign-in data and app preferences. Your documents saved on OneDrive, iCloud, or locally on the iPad will remain intact.
How can I recover the data lost when Excel crashed?
If AutoSave was enabled, check your OneDrive or SharePoint account for the most recent version of your file. You can also look in the 'Recent' tab within the Excel app to see if an auto-recovered version of your workbook is available.
What should I do if reinstalling Excel doesn't fix the crashing?
If a fresh installation doesn't work, ensure your iPadOS is updated to the latest version. Alternatively, try opening the file in a different spreadsheet application, such as WPS Office, to check if the crash is caused by the file itself rather than the app.
