Office for Mac Issues

How to Remove an Administrator-Managed Excel Add-in on Mac

Emma Brown Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove an Excel add-in on a Mac that was deployed centrally via Microsoft 365 Integrated Apps, typically to resolve conflicts when debugging a local version of the add-in.

How to Remove an Administrator-Managed Excel Add-in on Mac

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to delete or override an enterprise-deployed Excel add-in to test or debug a locally developed version.
Observed behavior: The add-in cannot be removed locally from the Mac application or by deleting local files because it is securely controlled by the organization's Microsoft 365 administrator settings.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator access to the Microsoft 365 tenant, or contact your IT department, as end-users cannot override or delete centrally deployed add-ins locally.

Solution 1Recommended

Unassign the Add-in via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Use the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to remove your specific user account from the add-in's deployment scope, allowing you to use local versions without conflict.

Administrator-managed add-ins are tied to your Microsoft 365 account rather than local files on your Mac. Therefore, a local add-in cannot overwrite an administrator-managed deployment. You must modify the cloud deployment settings.

Log in to Admin Center

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center in your web browser and sign in with your administrator credentials.

Access Integrated Apps

In the left navigation menu, go to Settings, and then click on 'Integrated apps'.

Select the Add-in

Scroll through the list of deployed applications and click on the specific Excel add-in you wish to remove or modify.

Modify User Assignment

Under the 'Users' tab or assignment section, change the assignment settings to specific users or groups, ensuring that your test account or the affected Mac user is removed from the list.

Save Changes

Save your new configuration. The add-in will be unassigned from the excluded accounts and removed from their Excel interface upon the next synchronization.

Unassign the Add-in via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Synchronization Time: It may take up to 24 hours for changes made in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to fully sync and reflect on the Mac Excel desktop application. Restarting Excel can sometimes prompt a faster sync.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Spreadsheet Experience

If you are struggling with strict administrator controls or complex Microsoft 365 deployments, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet tool that allows you to manage plugins locally without being blocked by enterprise cloud deployment conflicts.

1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS website to download the free version of WPS Office for Mac.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the installation prompts and open WPS Spreadsheets.
3. Manage Tools Locally: Access the Developer tools to freely manage your local plugins and add-ins without enterprise administration restrictions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats including .xlsx, .xls, and .csv.Free, lightweight, and fast alternative to Microsoft Office.Manage add-ins and custom tools locally without needing tenant admin access.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I just delete the add-in files from my Mac library?

Administrator-managed add-ins are deployed from the cloud directly to your Office application linked to your Microsoft 365 account. Local file deletions won't work because the cloud service will automatically re-sync and reinstall the add-in.

How can I debug my local add-in if the managed one is already installed?

You cannot overwrite an administrator-managed deployment with a local installation. You must either have the admin remove your specific account from the deployment scope or use a completely separate test user or tenant for your debugging sessions.

Will unassigning the add-in affect other users in my organization?

No. If you change the deployment assignment to target specific users or groups while excluding your own account, the add-in will remain available for the rest of the organization.

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