How to Fix Excel Sheets Appearing Upside Down After macOS Monterey Update
Question details
Users report that Excel worksheets display incorrectly or appear upside down after upgrading their Mac to macOS Monterey.

- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Opening or editing Excel workbooks after installing a macOS Monterey system update.
- Observed behavior
- Spreadsheets appear completely upside down or suffer from severe graphical glitches, typically caused by an outdated Microsoft AutoUpdate tool or an outdated Office build.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save any open documents in other applications before starting the update or reinstallation process.
Update Microsoft AutoUpdate and Office
Resolve compatibility issues by manually installing the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate package to ensure Office can fetch necessary patches.
Older versions of Microsoft Office may conflict with macOS Monterey, leading to visual bugs like upside-down sheets. Updating the AutoUpdate tool first allows Office to download the required graphical fixes.
Visit the official Microsoft website to download the latest version of the Microsoft AutoUpdate package for Mac.
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to update the AutoUpdate utility.
Open Excel, click on the 'Help' menu at the top of the screen, and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the prompts to update Microsoft Office.
Once the update process is complete, restart your Mac and open Excel to verify that the spreadsheets display correctly.

Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Office
Perform a clean installation of Microsoft Office if updating does not resolve the display issues for new workbooks.
Avoid Mac Compatibility Glitches with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with display bugs and failed updates in Microsoft Office on macOS? Switch to WPS Office for Mac. It provides a lightweight, highly stable experience with a familiar interface, ensuring your spreadsheets always display exactly as intended.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office installer for macOS from the official WPS website.
- 2. Install the application: Run the downloaded DMG file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files instantly: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, open your existing Excel workbooks, and enjoy a flawless viewing and editing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel sheets appear upside down after updating my Mac?
This is a known graphical rendering glitch caused by a compatibility mismatch between macOS Monterey and older, unpatched versions of Microsoft Office.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Office delete my saved Excel files?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft Office applications only removes the software files from your Mac. All your saved workbooks and documents will remain safe in their original folders.
How do I fix Microsoft AutoUpdate if it keeps failing?
If Microsoft AutoUpdate is failing or unresponsive, you must download and install the latest AutoUpdate installation package directly from Microsoft's official support site to overwrite the broken version.
Can I open my glitchy Excel files in another application on my Mac?
Yes, you can open your .xlsx files using Apple Numbers, Google Sheets, or WPS Office for Mac to view and edit your data while you troubleshoot the Microsoft Office display issue.




