'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Excel When It Is Stuck Loading on Web or Desktop
Question details
The user needs to troubleshoot and resolve an issue where Microsoft Excel workbooks, including blank spreadsheets, remain stuck on the loading screen and cannot be opened or edited.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS / Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open or edit a workbook in Excel for the web or the desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- The workbook gets continuously stuck on the loading screen, preventing the user from accessing the file menu or modifying any data.
Before proceeding, verify whether the loading issue is happening in Excel for the web (your browser) or the Excel desktop application, as the troubleshooting steps differ for each platform.
Fix Browser Issues for Excel for the Web
If you are using Excel in a web browser like Safari or Edge, browser-related conflicts are a common cause for the loading screen freezing.
Web browsers accumulate cache and utilize extensions that can sometimes interfere with heavy web applications like Excel for the web. Isolating the browser environment is the fastest way to resolve this.
Launch a private browsing or Incognito window (such as InPrivate in Edge) and attempt to open your workbook. If it loads correctly, a browser extension is likely causing the problem.
Navigate to your browser's history or privacy settings and clear the cached images and files to remove corrupt temporary data.
Go to your browser's extension manager and disable all active extensions. Re-enable them one by one to identify which add-on is interfering with Excel.
Log into your Microsoft account using a completely different browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, to check if the issue is specific to your current browser.
Update macOS and Microsoft Office
Outdated software can lead to system compatibility bugs, causing the Excel desktop application to stall on Mac devices.
Start Mac in Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode helps determine if background applications or third-party startup items are preventing Excel from loading properly.
Try WPS Office When Excel Keeps Freezing
If Microsoft Excel continues to get stuck loading, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that opens and edits Excel spreadsheets smoothly without performance lags.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer for your specific operating system.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the lightweight office suite.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Right-click your previously stuck Excel workbook, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office to instantly access and edit your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Excel for the web stuck on the loading screen?
This issue is often caused by accumulated browser cache, conflicting third-party browser extensions (like ad blockers), or using an outdated browser version. Clearing your cache or testing the file in a private browsing window can usually resolve it.
Does this loading issue affect a single workbook or all files?
It can vary based on the root cause. If only one workbook is stuck loading, the file itself might be corrupted or overly large. If all workbooks fail to load, the issue is likely rooted in your web browser or the Excel application installation.
How do I know if a browser extension is causing Excel to freeze?
Try opening Excel for the web in a Private or Incognito window. Since extensions are usually disabled in private mode, a workbook loading normally indicates an extension is interfering. You can then disable your extensions one by one to pinpoint the culprit.
What should I do if the Excel desktop app freezes on my Mac?
First, ensure both your macOS and the Microsoft Office suite are updated to their latest versions. If the problem persists, try booting your Mac in Safe Mode to check if any background software or startup processes are conflicting with Excel.
