Office Apps Freezing

How to Fix Excel Freezing on iPad When Copying Cells

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences complete unresponsiveness and freezing in the Excel app on an iPad when attempting to copy a small range of cells.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Selecting and copying a small range of approximately 8 to 10 cells within an Excel workbook on an iPad.
Observed behavior: The Excel application hangs and freezes, preventing any further editing or interaction within the workbook.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iPadOS, and forcefully close all background applications to free up device memory before troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Copying Cells in a Blank Workbook

Determine if the freezing issue is caused by a corrupted specific file rather than the Excel application itself.

Often, complex formatting, hidden objects, or data corruption within a specific workbook can cause the app to hang during simple operations like copying.

Create a New File

Open the Excel app on your iPad, tap the 'New' tab, and select 'Blank workbook'.

Input Test Data

Type some random text or numbers into a small range of about 8 to 10 cells.

Perform the Copy Action

Select the populated cells, tap the selection to bring up the context menu, and choose 'Copy'. Observe if the app freezes.

Test Results: If the blank workbook does not freeze, your original file is likely damaged or contains problematic content that needs to be cleaned up.

Solution 2

Open the Workbook in Excel Online

Verify if the issue is strictly isolated to the iPad application environment.

Solution 3

Reinstall the Excel App on iPad

Rule out and fix a corrupted or malfunctioning application installation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for iPad to Prevent App Freezes

If Microsoft Excel continues to freeze on your iPad, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly optimized, lightweight, and free Office suite that provides seamless spreadsheet editing on iPadOS without the lag.

1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the Apple App Store on your iPad.
2. Open Your Excel File: Launch WPS Office and locate your existing .xlsx file via local files or integrated cloud storage.
3. Edit Without Interruptions: Select the cells you want to copy and use the native copy-paste tools smoothly without experiencing app freezes.

Highly optimized for iPadOS to prevent freezing during copying and pasting100% compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls)Lightweight app size that saves iPad storage spaceFamiliar user interface for a zero-learning-curve transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Excel app keep freezing on my iPad?

Excel may freeze due to a corrupted specific workbook, complex cell formatting, an outdated app version, or insufficient available memory (RAM) on your iPad.

Will reinstalling Excel on my iPad delete all my saved files?

No, uninstalling the Excel app does not delete files saved in OneDrive, iCloud, or on your iPad's local 'Files' app. However, make sure any unsaved offline changes have finished syncing to the cloud before deleting the app.

How do I force quit a completely frozen Excel app on my iPad?

Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher. Then, find the Excel app preview and swipe up on it to close the app completely.

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