Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix White Boxes Over Cells in Excel for Mac

WPS Editor Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where white boxes unexpectedly appear over spreadsheet cells, typically caused by graphics rendering bugs, corrupted workbooks, or large file sizes.

How to Fix White Boxes Appearing Over Cells in Excel for Mac

Product: Microsoft Excel for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Working with large workbooks containing complex formulas, objects, or formatting.
Observed behavior: White boxes appear over spreadsheet cells, blocking the view of the data, and temporarily disappear after restarting Excel.

Before you start

Save your current workbook and ensure your macOS system is connected to the internet to check for the latest software updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS and Excel

Applying the latest software updates is the most effective way to resolve known graphical rendering bugs in Excel for Mac.

Update macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings (or System Preferences), navigate to General, and click Software Update to install any available system updates.

Update Microsoft Excel

Open Microsoft Excel, click on Help in the top menu bar, and select Check for Updates. Follow the prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to install the newest version.

Restart your Mac

After all updates are successfully installed, restart your Mac and open the Excel file again to see if the white boxes have disappeared.

Solution 2

Disable Add-ins and Reduce Workbook Size

Use this method if the graphical glitches are caused by conflicting third-party add-ins or an excessively large file size.

Solution 3

Report the Bug and Reinstall Excel

If the issue persists across different files and Macs, reinstalling the application and notifying Microsoft is the next best step.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Bug-Free Spreadsheets with WPS Office for Mac

If Excel for Mac continues to suffer from graphics rendering issues and white boxes, switching to WPS Office is an excellent solution. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative that handles large and complex datasets smoothly on macOS.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office for free.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your Mac.
3. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx file to continue working without any display glitches.

Seamlessly opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats without compatibility issues.Optimized rendering engine that prevents graphical glitches like white boxes over cells.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on Mac, even with large files.Familiar user interface makes it incredibly easy to migrate from Microsoft Office.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do white boxes appear in my Excel spreadsheet on Mac?

White boxes over cells typically indicate a graphical rendering bug in Excel for Mac. It is most commonly triggered when working with large workbooks that contain complex formulas, numerous objects, or heavy formatting.

Can I disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration in Excel for Mac?

No, the option to disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration is not available in Excel for Mac. To resolve graphics issues, you must ensure both your macOS and Microsoft Excel are updated to their latest versions.

Will reducing my Excel file size fix the display glitch?

Yes, reducing the workbook size can help. Large files can strain your Mac's memory and Excel's rendering capabilities. Removing unused objects, clearing excessive formatting, and saving a fresh copy can often restore normal cell visibility.

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