Office Apps Not Opening

How to Fix Excel Files Stuck on Loading in OneDrive Web

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to open existing Excel documents or create new worksheets via OneDrive Web because the application gets stuck on the loading screen.

Product: Microsoft Excel / OneDrive Web
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening or creating Excel spreadsheet files via a web browser using the OneDrive platform.
Observed behavior: Excel files remain indefinitely stuck on 'Loading', while other Office applications like Word and PowerPoint function normally.

Before you start

Before attempting local troubleshooting, verify your internet connection stability and check the Microsoft 365 Service Health status page to ensure there are no ongoing server outages affecting Excel for the Web.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Browser Cache and Test in Private Mode

Corrupted browser cache or conflicting browser extensions frequently cause web apps like Excel to hang during the loading sequence.

Web browsers store temporary data to load sites faster, but outdated data can conflict with complex web applications like Excel. Testing in Private or Incognito mode is the quickest way to bypass extensions and isolate the issue.

Open Private Browsing

Open a new Incognito or Private Browsing window (Ctrl + Shift + N on Chrome/Edge, or Ctrl + Shift + P on Firefox) to temporarily disable all installed browser extensions.

Test OneDrive

Navigate to OneDrive Web, log into your Microsoft account, and attempt to open the Excel file again.

Clear Browser Data

If the file opens successfully in Private mode, return to your normal browser window and press 'Ctrl + Shift + Delete' (Windows) or 'Cmd + Shift + Delete' (Mac) to open the 'Clear browsing data' menu.

Delete Cache and Cookies

Select 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached images and files', then click 'Clear Data' and restart your browser.

Pro Tip: If clearing the cache resolves the issue temporarily but it returns, try disabling your ad-blockers or privacy extensions specifically for the OneDrive domain.

Solution 2

Verify Network Connection and OneDrive Storage

A full OneDrive account or network restrictions can prevent Excel web files from processing and rendering properly.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft 365 Administrator

If local troubleshooting fails, there may be a tenant-level configuration issue or backend error requiring administrative intervention.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Edit Excel Files Offline

When OneDrive or Excel for the Web is experiencing server issues or stuck on loading, you can download your files and edit them locally using WPS Office. It is a free, fast, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that does not rely on web browser performance.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download, and install WPS Office on your computer.
2. Download File from OneDrive: Go to OneDrive Web, right-click the stuck Excel file, and select 'Download' to save it to your local drive.
3. Open and Edit: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click 'Open', and select your downloaded file to continue editing offline without interruptions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats.Edit spreadsheets locally without relying on web browser performance or OneDrive servers.Lightweight installation and familiar user interface for a seamless transition.Includes built-in cloud sync features as a reliable storage alternative.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Excel for the Web stuck on loading but Word works fine?

Excel for the Web handles data processing and complex scripts differently than Word. It often requires more browser resources. Conflicting browser extensions, strict ad-blockers, or a corrupted browser cache can disrupt Excel's specific loading scripts while leaving Word unaffected.

Can a full OneDrive account prevent files from opening?

Yes. If your OneDrive storage limit is reached or the account is frozen, Microsoft may block you from creating new Excel files or modifying existing ones, which frequently causes the web application to hang on the loading screen.

How do I check if Microsoft OneDrive servers are down?

You can visit the official Microsoft 365 Service Health status page or check the official Microsoft 365 Status account on X (formerly Twitter) to see if there are active incidents affecting Excel on the Web or OneDrive services.

Will I lose my data if I clear my browser cache?

No, clearing your browser cache and cookies will not delete your files stored on OneDrive. It only removes temporary web files stored locally on your device to improve performance. However, you will be required to log back into your Microsoft account.

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