How to Fix Excel Displaying Upside Down After macOS Big Sur Update
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Excel spreadsheet content is displayed upside down or reversed.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur 11.3
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel after upgrading the Mac operating system.
- Observed behavior
- The Excel application interface or document content renders completely upside down due to software incompatibility between macOS Big Sur and an outdated Excel version (15.31).
Ensure your Mac has a stable internet connection and save all currently open workbooks before initiating any software updates.
Update Microsoft Excel via Microsoft AutoUpdate
Updating your outdated version of Microsoft Excel to the latest release will resolve rendering bugs and ensure full compatibility with macOS Big Sur.
Older builds of Microsoft Excel, such as version 15.31, are not fully optimized for macOS Big Sur 11.3. Installing the latest software patches via Microsoft's built-in update tool corrects the reversed display issue.
If your current updater is broken, navigate to the official Microsoft website, download the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) package for Mac, and run the installer.
Open Microsoft Excel. From the top menu bar, click on 'Help' and select 'Check for Updates' to launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.
Click the 'Update' button next to Microsoft Excel to download and install the newest version compatible with macOS Big Sur.
In the Microsoft AutoUpdate window, check the box that says 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' so future OS upgrades don't cause similar glitches.
Try WPS Office for Mac for Seamless Spreadsheet Viewing
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience display glitches on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative that is highly compatible with the latest macOS updates and seamlessly handles all your Microsoft Office files.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your Excel files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .xlsx files to edit them without any display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Excel screen turn upside down after updating my Mac?
This is a known rendering bug caused by software incompatibility. Older versions of Microsoft Excel (such as version 15.31) lack the necessary graphical updates to run correctly on macOS Big Sur 11.3.
Does my Office 365 subscription automatically keep Excel updated?
An active subscription provides access to the latest features, but updates are only applied automatically if you have the 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' setting checked within the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.
What should I do if the 'Check for Updates' button is missing or doesn't work?
If the built-in update tool fails, your Microsoft AutoUpdate application is likely outdated. You will need to download and install the standalone Microsoft AutoUpdate package directly from Microsoft's Mac support page.
