Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Excel Find Function Cannot Locate Text on Mac

Amos Gikunda Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to locate specific text strings using the Find feature in Excel for Mac.

How to Fix Excel Find Function Not Locating Text Strings on Mac

Product: Microsoft Excel for Mac (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: macOS Ventura
Scenario: Attempting to search for existing text strings within a selected range, worksheet, or entire workbook.
Observed behavior: The Find feature fails to return search results and cannot locate the text strings present in the document.

Before you start

Ensure that your search terms do not contain accidental trailing spaces and verify that the data you are searching for is not hidden inside collapsed rows or grouped columns.

Solution 1Recommended

Utilize the Correct Built-in Find Commands

Use the standard navigation pathways in Excel for Mac to ensure the Find feature scopes your search correctly.

Sometimes the search scope defaults to a selected range rather than the whole sheet. Using the proper Find menus ensures you are searching the intended area of your workbook.

Use the Menu Bar

Navigate to the top of your Mac screen, click on 'Edit', select 'Find', and then click 'Find...' to open the detailed search dialog.

Use the Ribbon Command

Alternatively, go to the 'Home' tab on your Excel ribbon and click the 'Find' button represented by a magnifying glass icon.

Search via Title Bar

Click the 'Search Sheet' magnifying-glass icon located near the right side of the Excel title bar for a quick query.

Specify the Search Scope

In the expanded Find dialog, change the search settings to explicitly specify whether you want to search the 'Selected Range', the 'Current Worksheet', or the 'Entire Workbook'.

Utilize the Correct Built-in Find Commands

Shortcut Tip: You can quickly bring up the Find dialog box by pressing Cmd + F on your Mac keyboard.

Solution 2

Adjust Advanced Find Options

Modify the advanced settings in the Find dialog if Excel is missing text due to formatting or case-sensitivity.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Spreadsheet Experience

If Excel's Find feature continues to glitch on macOS Ventura, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative. Enjoy reliable search functions, smooth data processing, and a familiar interface without subscription fees.

1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website directly to your Mac.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx workbook. Formatting and data are preserved seamlessly.
3. Search Your Data: Press Cmd + F to launch the robust Find and Replace tool to instantly locate your text strings without errors.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsLightweight design optimized for fast performance on macOSReliable Find and Replace functionality for large datasetsFree to use without a Microsoft 365 subscription

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel Find say 'We couldn't find what you were looking for'?

This error typically occurs if the search text is misspelled, hidden within collapsed rows or columns, or restricted by advanced search options like 'Match Case' or 'Match entire cell contents' in the Find dialog.

How do I search across an entire workbook on Mac instead of just one sheet?

Open the Find dialog using Cmd + F, click the 'Options' button to expand the menu, and change the 'Within' dropdown setting from 'Sheet' to 'Workbook'. This allows Excel to search all tabs simultaneously.

Does macOS Ventura cause bugs with Excel's Find feature?

Some users operating Excel version 16.71 on macOS Ventura have reported isolated glitches with the Find function. Updating both your macOS operating system and your Microsoft 365 applications to the latest versions often resolves these compatibility issues.

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