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Office for Mac Issues

Where to Find the Options Menu in Excel for Mac

Algirdas JasaitisAlgirdas Jasaitis Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is looking for the equivalent of the Windows File > Options menu in Excel for Mac to configure settings such as document privacy.

Where Is the Options Menu in Excel for Mac?
Product
Excel for Mac
Device & OS
macOS
Scenario
Trying to locate application settings or document options in Microsoft Excel on a Mac.
Observed behavior
The Options menu found under File in the Windows version is missing in the Mac interface.
Before you start

Ensure you have your Excel application open on your Mac, as you need to be actively in the program to access its settings menu.

Solution 1Recommended

Access Settings via Excel Preferences

Use the built-in Preferences menu on macOS, which serves as the equivalent to the Windows Options menu.

On macOS, applications use a standardized Preferences menu instead of the Options menu commonly found on Windows. All your Excel settings, including security, calculation options, and privacy controls, are located here. You should disregard any instructions that tell you to click File > Options on a Mac.

1
Open Microsoft Excel

Launch Microsoft Excel on your Mac and open any workbook.

2
Click the Excel Menu

Navigate to the top left corner of your screen menu bar and click on the word 'Excel' next to the Apple logo.

3
Select Preferences

Click on 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu to open the settings window.

4
Adjust Your Settings

Select the desired category, such as 'Security', to modify your document privacy options or remove personal information from the workbook.

Access Settings via Excel Preferences
Keyboard Shortcut: You can quickly access the Preferences menu in almost any Mac application by pressing Command (⌘) + Comma (,).
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there no 'File > Options' in my Mac Excel?

Microsoft Office for Mac follows the standard macOS interface design guidelines. On a Mac, application-wide settings are always placed in the 'Preferences' menu under the application's name (Excel > Preferences) rather than in the File menu.

How do I remove personal information from an Excel workbook on Mac?

Go to Excel > Preferences, click on Security, and check the option to remove personal information from the file upon saving.

What is the shortcut to open Excel Preferences on a Mac?

You can open the Preferences window instantly by pressing the Command (⌘) and Comma (,) keys simultaneously while Excel is the active application.