How to Fix Excel Keychain Access Prompts on Mac
Question details
Excel repeatedly asks for keychain access passwords after moving Microsoft 365 to a new Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS (M1 Mac mini)
- Scenario
- Migrating Microsoft 365 to a new Apple Silicon Mac and launching Excel.
- Observed behavior
- Excel continuously prompts for access to confidential information in the macOS keychain, and the user is unable to find a password that successfully dismisses the prompt.
Ensure you know your Mac administrator password (the password you use to log into your computer), as you will need it to unlock and modify macOS Keychain Access settings.
Lock and Re-authenticate the Login Keychain
This forces macOS to prompt for your Mac administrator password, refreshing the authentication token for Office applications.
When you migrate to a new Mac, the Microsoft 365 authentication tokens can become out of sync. Forcing the system to lock and unlock the login keychain often resolves this miscommunication.
Close Microsoft Excel and all other Microsoft 365 applications completely.
Open the 'Keychain Access' app. You can find this in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder, or by searching for it using Spotlight.
In the left sidebar of Keychain Access, right-click the 'login' keychain and select 'Lock Keychain login'. Alternatively, click the lock icon at the top of the window.
Launch Microsoft Excel. When the keychain access prompt appears, enter your Mac administrator password and click 'Always Allow' to grant persistent access.
Update Access Control for Microsoft Office Items
Modify the Keychain settings to explicitly allow Microsoft Excel and other Office apps to access the required keychain items.
Try WPS Office for Mac for a Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of dealing with persistent login prompts and keychain errors? WPS Office is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that runs seamlessly on macOS without complex licensing setups.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free Mac installer.
- 2. Install on Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Editing: Launch WPS Office and immediately start editing your Excel spreadsheets without any keychain interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel keep asking for keychain access on my Mac?
This usually happens after migrating to a new Mac, changing your Mac login password, or updating macOS. It causes the saved authentication tokens for Microsoft 365 to become out of sync with the system's keychain restrictions.
What password should I use when prompted for the macOS keychain?
You should enter your Mac administrator password (the same password you type to log into your computer desktop), not your Microsoft 365 account password.
What if the 'Lock Keychain' option is disabled in Keychain Access?
If the option is grayed out, try restarting your Mac. Alternatively, you can create a new login keychain entirely, though this will reset saved passwords for other applications.
