Office Apps Crashing

How to Fix Excel Crashing When Using Text to Columns

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop Microsoft Excel from crashing when utilizing the Text to Columns tool on a large number of entries.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Using the Text to Columns data tool to split text across multiple columns.
Observed behavior: Excel freezes or completely crashes when Text to Columns is applied to more than a few data entries.

Before you start

Before proceeding, save your current work and ensure no other background applications are heavily consuming system resources.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Text to Columns in a New Blank Workbook

Use this method to isolate the issue and determine if the crash is caused by a specific corrupted workbook or a widespread Excel application error.

Troubleshooting Excel crashes depends heavily on isolating the problem. By testing the feature in a completely fresh environment, you can quickly narrow down the root cause.

Create a new workbook

Launch Microsoft Excel and open a new blank workbook.

Enter sample data

Type some basic dummy text separated by commas into the first few cells of column A.

Run Text to Columns

Highlight the sample data, navigate to the Data tab on the ribbon, and click 'Text to Columns' to see if Excel processes it without crashing.

Solution 2

Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Office

If Excel crashes in every workbook, including new blank ones, the Office installation itself may be damaged and requires a repair.

Solution 3

Create a Sanitized Copy of the Workbook

If the crashing issue is confined to a single file, the workbook is likely corrupted. Creating a sanitized copy helps in reproducing and diagnosing the issue safely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office to Avoid Excel Crashes

If Microsoft Excel continues to crash or feels too resource-heavy for your system, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. You can seamlessly use the Text to Columns feature on your existing files without worrying about unexpected crashes.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
2. Open your spreadsheet: Open your existing .xlsx or .csv file directly in WPS Spreadsheet.
3. Split your data: Select your data, go to the Data tab, and click 'Text to Columns' to safely separate your text.

Free and lightweight office suite with incredibly fast startup times.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel file formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Familiar user interface featuring native Text to Columns support.Built-in cloud syncing to keep your spreadsheets secure across all devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel crash when using Text to Columns?

Excel may crash due to underlying file corruption in a specific workbook, conflicting COM add-ins, damaged Office installation files, or insufficient system memory when processing massive amounts of unformatted data.

Will restarting my computer fix the Excel crashing issue?

Restarting your computer can clear temporary memory and resolve minor system glitches. However, as noted in troubleshooting guides, a restart alone usually will not resolve persistent Office installation errors or deep workbook corruption.

How can I split text without using the Text to Columns wizard?

If the wizard causes crashes, you can use built-in Excel formulas to split data. Functions like LEFT, RIGHT, MID, FIND, or the newer TEXTSPLIT function (available in Microsoft 365) can separate text dynamically without triggering the wizard.

What does it mean to 'sanitize a workbook' for troubleshooting?

Sanitizing a workbook involves creating a duplicate of your file and completely removing or replacing any confidential, financial, or personally identifiable information before sharing it with support forums or IT teams.

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