How to Fix Microsoft Office Crashing on macOS
Question details
The user is experiencing frequent crashes with Microsoft Office on macOS and requires proper Mac-specific troubleshooting steps.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft Office applications on a Mac computer.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Office applications crash unexpectedly on macOS. Windows-specific fixes, such as PST repairs, are irrelevant and do not resolve the issue.
Ensure your Mac has a stable internet connection for downloading software updates, and close any unresponsive applications using Force Quit before proceeding.
Update Microsoft Office and Verify System Resources
Outdated software or insufficient Mac storage and memory frequently cause Office crashes. Updating the suite and checking system resources is the most effective first step.
Many online troubleshooting guides mistakenly suggest Windows-specific steps, such as PST repairs or navigating to 'File > Info > Account Settings', for Mac users. These steps do not apply to macOS. Instead, you must focus on native Mac troubleshooting methods, primarily keeping the software updated and ensuring your device has adequate storage and memory.
Open any Microsoft Office application on your Mac, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown menu.
Follow the on-screen prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to install any available updates, then completely restart the application.
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), and navigate to 'General > Storage' to confirm you have at least 10GB of free space.
Experience Crash-Free Productivity with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Office continues to crash on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable, and completely free alternative that runs flawlessly on macOS while maintaining full compatibility with your existing files.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded DMG file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files to continue working without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Office keep crashing on my Mac?
Crashes are typically caused by outdated Office software, conflicting background applications, corrupted preference files, or insufficient Mac storage and RAM.
Can I use the PST repair tool to fix Office on my Mac?
No. PST repair tools and paths like 'File > Info > Account Settings' are exclusively for the Windows version of Outlook. macOS requires different troubleshooting methods, such as updating via the Help menu.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the crashing issue on Mac?
If updating the software and freeing up system resources doesn't work, completely uninstalling and then reinstalling Microsoft Office can resolve deep-seated corruption issues causing the crashes.
