Why an XLSM Workbook Will Not Open in Excel for Mac and How to Fix It
Question details
User needs to understand why an XLSM macro-enabled workbook fails to open in Excel for Mac and how to make it accessible.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- A user receives an XLSM workbook created in Excel for Windows and tries to open it in Excel for Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Excel for Mac displays an unsupported-content message and does not open the workbook as expected.
Before troubleshooting, confirm the file is actually saved as .xlsm and note the exact unsupported-content message shown in Excel for Mac. If possible, keep the original workbook available on a Windows PC with Excel so you can inspect and remove ActiveX controls.
Remove Windows-Only ActiveX Controls in Excel for Windows
Use this solution when the XLSM workbook contains ActiveX controls or other Windows-only components that trigger the unsupported-content message in Excel for Mac.
Excel for Mac supports VBA macros, but it does not support ActiveX controls. A macro-enabled workbook created in Excel for Windows becomes Windows-only when it contains ActiveX controls, and Excel for Mac reports unsupported content instead of opening it.
Click File > Open in Excel for Windows and select the XLSM workbook that will not open on the Mac.
Click File > Options > Customize Ribbon, select the Developer check box, and click OK.
On the Developer tab, click Design Mode, select each ActiveX control on the worksheet, and press Delete.
Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA editor, expand the workbook project, and inspect UserForms and worksheet objects for ActiveX controls or Windows-only references.
Save the workbook, transfer it to the Mac, and open it in Excel for Mac to verify that the unsupported-content message no longer appears.
Replace ActiveX Controls with Mac-Compatible Form Controls
Use this when you still need interactive controls in the workbook but want the file to remain usable in Excel for Mac.
Use WPS Office as a Lightweight Alternative for XLSM Workbooks
If Excel for Mac continues to block XLSM workbooks because of Windows-only ActiveX controls, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative for everyday spreadsheet work. It has a familiar ribbon interface, strong compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats including .xlsm, .xlsx, and .xls, and makes migration from Microsoft Office simple without a subscription.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Go to the WPS Office download page, download the free Mac version, and install it.
- 2. Open the XLSM workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, click Open, and select the XLSM workbook to view and edit its contents.
- 3. Save in your preferred Excel format: Use File > Save As to keep the workbook as .xlsm or save it as .xlsx if macros are not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Excel for Mac support VBA macros in XLSM workbooks?
Yes. Excel for Mac supports VBA macros, but it does not support ActiveX controls or certain Windows-only components. The unsupported-content message usually appears because of those controls, not because of the macro itself.
How can I find ActiveX controls in an XLSM workbook?
Open the workbook in Excel for Windows, enable the Developer tab, click Design Mode, and check each worksheet for highlighted ActiveX controls. You can also press Alt+F11 to inspect UserForms in the VBA editor for Windows-only components.
Can WPS Office open an XLSM workbook?
WPS Office can open Microsoft Excel macro-enabled workbooks for normal spreadsheet tasks. If the file contains Windows-only ActiveX controls, remove those controls in Excel for Windows first for the best compatibility.
What should I do if I only have a Mac and no Windows PC?
Ask the workbook creator to save a Mac-compatible copy without ActiveX controls. Alternatively, open the file in WPS Office to access the worksheet data, then save it as .xlsx if macros are not required.
Why does the unsupported-content message appear only in Excel for Mac?
ActiveX controls are Windows-only components. Excel for Mac cannot display or run them, so any workbook containing an ActiveX control triggers an unsupported-content message even though VBA macros are supported.
