Where to Find and Restore Personal.xlsb in Excel for Mac
Question details
The user needs to find the exact directory path on macOS to store or restore the Personal.xlsb file so that custom macros load automatically in Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Reinstalling Microsoft Excel on a Mac or transferring custom macro settings to a new device.
- Observed behavior
- The Personal.xlsb file is removed after reinstallation, requiring the user to manually locate the hidden startup folder to restore a backup copy.
Make sure you have completely closed Microsoft Excel before moving files into the startup directories. You must also have your backup copy of the Personal.xlsb file ready on your Mac.
Manually Restore Personal.xlsb via the Hidden macOS Library
Use the Finder's Go menu to access the hidden Library folder and navigate to the Office Group Containers directory to paste your macro workbook.
In macOS, the startup folder for Excel is buried within a hidden Library directory. You must use a specific keyboard shortcut in the Finder to reveal it.
Open Finder, click 'Go' in the top Apple menu bar, press and hold the 'Option' key on your keyboard, and click 'Library' when it appears in the dropdown list.
Inside the Library folder, open the 'Group Containers' folder. Look for the Microsoft Office container, which is usually named something like 'UBF8T346G9.Office'.
From the Office container, open 'User Content', then 'Startup', and finally open the 'Excel' folder.
Copy your existing 'Personal.xlsb' backup file and paste it into this Excel startup folder.
If Excel still does not load the macro workbook upon restart, check the 'XLSTART' folder or the Excel application support folder located inside your user's 'Containers' directory.
Manage Spreadsheets and Macros Easily with WPS Office for Mac
If navigating hidden system folders and resolving Microsoft Office directory issues is slowing you down, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with excellent VBA macro support out of the box.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and seamlessly open your existing .xlsx or .xlsm files.
- 3. Enable Macros: Access the Developer tab directly from the ribbon to manage, edit, and run your VBA macros effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Personal.xlsb file?
The Personal.xlsb file is a hidden personal macro workbook that opens in the background every time you start Excel. It allows you to store custom VBA macros and use them across any spreadsheet you open on your Mac.
Why can't I see the Library folder in Mac Finder?
By default, Apple hides the user Library folder to prevent accidental modifications to critical system and app configuration files. You must hold the Option key while clicking the Go menu in Finder to reveal it temporarily.
How do I create a new Personal.xlsb file if I don't have a backup?
Open Excel, go to the Developer or View tab, and click 'Record Macro'. In the dialog box, set the 'Store macro in' option to 'Personal Macro Workbook' and click OK. Stop recording immediately. Excel will automatically generate a new Personal.xlsb file in the correct hidden startup folder.
