How to Fix Excel Crashing on Mac With Chart.framework Error
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Excel crashes immediately upon opening on a Mac due to a Chart.framework error.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Ventura
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch and use Microsoft Excel on macOS Ventura.
- Observed behavior
- Excel version 16.76 closes immediately because the Chart.framework library is missing or has an invalid code signature, and standard reinstallation does not resolve it.
Ensure you have saved your work in other applications and fully quit all Microsoft Office programs, as you will need to reset application configuration files.
Clear the Microsoft Excel Container Folder
Moving the corrupted container folder forces Excel to generate fresh, error-free configuration files upon the next launch.
macOS isolates application data in container folders. If the data within the Excel container becomes corrupted or holds invalid signature caches, it can trigger the Chart.framework crash upon startup.
Right-click the Excel icon in the Dock and select Quit. Make sure all other Office apps like Word and PowerPoint are also closed.
Click on your desktop to activate Finder, select the 'Go' menu in the top menu bar, and click 'Go to Folder'.
Type ~/Library/Containers into the search box and press Return to open the hidden Containers directory.
Find the folder named 'Microsoft Excel', drag it to your Desktop (do not delete it yet, keep it as a backup).
Restart your Mac, then launch Microsoft Excel to see if the Chart.framework error is resolved.
Run Disk Utility First Aid and Reinstall Excel
If clearing the container fails, checking the disk for errors and performing a clean reinstallation can fix underlying file system issues.
Try WPS Office for a Stable Mac Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash on your Mac due to complex framework and code signature errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable environment without heavy dependency issues, while maintaining seamless compatibility with all your existing spreadsheets.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select your existing Excel files to continue working without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel show a Chart.framework error on macOS Ventura?
This error generally occurs when the Chart.framework component within the Excel application package is missing, corrupted, or has an invalid code signature, often triggered by a macOS update or an interrupted app update.
Will moving the Excel container folder delete my saved spreadsheets?
No, the container folder only stores application preferences, temporary files, and caches. Your saved Excel documents are stored separately and will not be affected.
What should I do if reinstalling Excel doesn't fix the crash?
If both clearing the container folder and reinstalling Excel fail to resolve the invalid code signature error, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for advanced diagnostics, or consider using an alternative software like WPS Office.
