How to Troubleshoot Excel 2016 Crashes When Opening a Workbook
Question details
The user needs to stop Excel 2016 from crashing when opening and working in a large workbook that contains external references and uses the Bloomberg add-in.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Selecting a cell in a large Excel 2016 workbook with external workbook references and the Bloomberg add-in triggers a crash.
- Observed behavior
- Excel 2016 crashes when the user opens the workbook or selects a cell, especially with the Bloomberg add-in active.
Before changing settings, save a copy of the workbook and note which external references and add-ins, such as the Bloomberg add-in, are active in Excel 2016.
Start Excel in Safe Mode and disable the Bloomberg add-in
Use this first to determine whether an add-in or startup file is causing the crash.
Excel Safe Mode disables most add-ins and startup customizations, so it quickly shows whether the crash is caused by the workbook itself or by an Excel add-in.
Press and hold the Ctrl key while starting Excel 2016, or open the Run box with Windows + R, type excel /safe, and press Enter.
In Safe Mode, open the affected workbook and click the cell that normally triggers the crash.
Go to File > Options > Add-ins, select COM Add-ins from the Manage list, click Go, and clear the checkbox for the Bloomberg add-in, then restart Excel normally.
Review and repair external workbook references
Use this when the workbook still crashes after add-ins are removed or to fix stale external links.
Install Office and Bloomberg add-in updates
Use this to fix known crash bugs and compatibility issues in Excel 2016 and the Bloomberg add-in.
Open Large Excel Workbooks in WPS Office Without the Same Excel Add-in Crashes
WPS Office is a free, lightweight Microsoft Office alternative that opens .xlsx workbooks in WPS Spreadsheets with a familiar ribbon interface, reducing dependency on Excel COM add-ins such as Bloomberg and making migration from Excel 2016 simple.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to the official WPS Office download page and click Download WPS Office Free to install the suite on your PC.
- 2. Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, click Spreadsheets, and open the .xlsx workbook that crashes in Excel 2016.
- 3. Review external links and formulas: Use the Data tab in WPS Spreadsheets to check external links and confirm the workbook calculates without the Bloomberg add-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel 2016 crash when I select a cell in a Bloomberg-linked workbook?
This usually points to a conflict with the Bloomberg add-in or broken external workbook references. Test by starting Excel in Safe Mode, then disable the Bloomberg add-in through File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins.
How do I open Excel 2016 in Safe Mode?
Hold the Ctrl key while launching Excel 2016, or press Windows + R, type excel /safe, and press Enter. Safe Mode temporarily disables most add-ins and startup files.
How can I check external links in an Excel 2016 workbook?
Open the workbook, go to Data > Edit Links. You can update values, change source, or break links that are no longer required.
Will WPS Office open a workbook that crashes Excel 2016?
Yes. WPS Spreadsheets can open .xlsx and .xls files and review external links without the same Excel add-in dependency, making it a practical free alternative for problematic workbooks.
Should I update Office or the Bloomberg add-in first?
Update both. In Excel go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now, and confirm with Bloomberg support that your add-in version matches your Excel 2016 build.
