Learn over 270 Excel mouse and keyboard shortcuts for the Windows, Mac, and Web versions of Excel. Download a FREE printable PDF file.
- Sep 11, 2006 Excel is a spreadsheet, and exists in a Mac version (in fact, the Mac version predates the Windows version). Do you instead mean Microsoft Access? If so, there's no direct equivalent, but there are a number of Mac databases, including Filemaker Pro (probably the most popular), OpenBase, MySQL, FrontBase and others.
- Oct 08, 2012 Apple has 'Pages' and 'Numbers' which are able to work with, respectively, Word and Excel files. You can purchase and download both from the App Store in your Dock. Both have the ability to export files as Word and Excel if you need to send files to other people who don't have Macs.
- Top 8 Spreadsheet Software apps that are similar to Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac. Spreadsheet app. Apple Numbers Tables. Organise and present data very.
- Office 2016 for Mac is sandboxed. Unlike other versions of Office apps that support VBA, Office 2016 for Mac apps are sandboxed. Sandboxing restricts the apps from accessing resources outside the app container. This affects any add-ins or macros that involve file access.
Note
Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. For more information about this change, read this blog post.
Symptoms
When you try to start Microsoft Excel for Mac, you receive the following error message:
Microsoft Excel has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Cause
This error may occur if one of the following conditions is true:
- The Excel preferences are corrupted.
- Programs that are running in the background are interfering with Excel for Mac.
- Application files are corrupted.
- A user account profile is corrupted.
Free Excel For Mac
Resolution
To resolve this issue, try the following methods, in order, until the issue is resolved.
Method 1
Step 1: Quit all programs
Excel For Mac
You must quit all programs before you continue. To quit an application, select the application on the toolbar (top), and then select Quit. If you cannot quit an application or do not know how, hold down the Command and Option keys, and then press Esc on your keyboard. Select the application in the 'Force Quit Application' window, and then select Force Quit. Click Force Quit to quit the application.
When you are finished, click the red button in the upper-left corner and go to step 2.
Step 2: Remove your Excel preferences
Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac applications.
On the Go menu, click Home.
Open Library. Note The Library folder is hidden in Mac OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.
Open Preferences.
Drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the desktop. If you cannot locate the file, Excel is using the default preferences. Go to step 7.
Open Excel, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Excel, restore the file to its original location, and go to the next step. If the problem is resolved, drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the Trash.
Quit all Office for Mac applications.
On the Go menu, click Home.
Open Library.
Note
The Library folder is hidden in Mac OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.
Open Preferences.
Open Microsoft, and then drag com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist to the desktop. If you cannot locate the file, Excel is using the default preferences. Go to step 13.
Open Excel, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Excel, restore the file to its original location, and go to Method 2. If the problem is resolved, drag com.microsoft.Excel,prefs.plist to the Trash.
Method 2
Use the 'Repair Disk Permissions' option
You can use the Repair Disk Permissions option to troubleshoot permissions problems in Mac OS X 10.2 or later versions. To use the Repair Disk Permissions option, follow these steps:
- On the Go menu, click Utilities.
- Start the Disk Utility program.
- Click the primary hard disk drive for your computer.
- Click the First Aid tab.
- Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Note
The Disk Utility program only repairs software that is installed by Apple. This utility also repairs folders, such as the Applications folder. However, this utility does not repair software that is in your home folder.
Open Excel and check if the issue is resolved. If it is not, continue to Method 3.
Method 3
Create and use a new user account
To create a new user account, use the following procedure.
Note
You many have to reinstall Office if you log on with a new account.
Click the Apple icon, and then click System Preferences.
Click Accounts.
Click the plus sign ('+') in the lower-left corner to open the new account window.
Note
If you are not the Administrator of the computer, click Click the lock to make changes. Log on by using your Administrator user name and password, and then click OK.
Type the word Test for the user name, and leave the password box blank. Click Create Account. When you receive a warning, click OK.
Click to select Allow User to Administer this computer. (If this option is not available, just go to the next step).
Click the Apple icon, and then click Log Out name.
Log on with your Test account.
Open Excel and check if the issue is resolved. If you can save when you use a new user account, contact Apple support to troubleshoot your existing account. If you do not want to keep your existing account, you can rename the 'Test' account that you create in the following procedure, and continue to use that account. If it is not, continue to Method 4.
Method 4
Remove and then reinstall Office
For information about how to remove and then reinstall Office, see the following article:
Third-party disclaimer information
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
The information and the solution in this document represent the current view of Microsoft Corporation on these issues as of the date of publication. This solution is available through Microsoft or through a third-party provider. Microsoft does not specifically recommend any third-party provider or third-party solution that this article might describe. There might also be other third-party providers or third-party solutions that this article does not describe. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, this information should not be interpreted to be a commitment by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of any information or of any solution that is presented by Microsoft or by any mentioned third-party provider.
Overview of Recover Unsaved Excel on Mac
This page offers 3 reliable methods to help you recover unsaved Excel file on Mac. If you happen to lose unsaved excel file or deleted it by mistake on Mac, stay calm and pick up any method to bring your lost excel file back now:
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Method 1. Recover TMP Folder | Go to 'Applications' > 'Utilities' > 'Terminal' > Type $TMPDIR and hit Return..Full steps |
| Method 2. Recover from AutoSave | Go to 'Applications' >' Utilities' > 'Terminal' > Type 'defaults write com.apple.Finder..'..Full steps |
| Method 3. Use Recovery Software | Run EaseUS file recovery software > Scan device > Recover deleted or lost excel..Full steps |
Excel For Macbook Pro
On the whole, Excel files may get lost due to the program crash, Mac shutting down unexpected, accidental deletion, hard drive formatting, or virus attack. If the Excel files already gone are unsaved, you can use the two solutions in Part 1 to recover them in large part. While if you have mistakenly permanently deleted the Excel files or the saved documents are disappeared caused by other reasons, there is no way but use professional and free data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery for Mac recommended in Part 2 to get them back. Read on and see the details.
To resolve this issue, try the following methods, in order, until the issue is resolved.
Method 1
Step 1: Quit all programs
Excel For Mac
You must quit all programs before you continue. To quit an application, select the application on the toolbar (top), and then select Quit. If you cannot quit an application or do not know how, hold down the Command and Option keys, and then press Esc on your keyboard. Select the application in the 'Force Quit Application' window, and then select Force Quit. Click Force Quit to quit the application.
When you are finished, click the red button in the upper-left corner and go to step 2.
Step 2: Remove your Excel preferences
Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac applications.
On the Go menu, click Home.
Open Library. Note The Library folder is hidden in Mac OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.
Open Preferences.
Drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the desktop. If you cannot locate the file, Excel is using the default preferences. Go to step 7.
Open Excel, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Excel, restore the file to its original location, and go to the next step. If the problem is resolved, drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the Trash.
Quit all Office for Mac applications.
On the Go menu, click Home.
Open Library.
Note
The Library folder is hidden in Mac OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.
Open Preferences.
Open Microsoft, and then drag com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist to the desktop. If you cannot locate the file, Excel is using the default preferences. Go to step 13.
Open Excel, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Excel, restore the file to its original location, and go to Method 2. If the problem is resolved, drag com.microsoft.Excel,prefs.plist to the Trash.
Method 2
Use the 'Repair Disk Permissions' option
You can use the Repair Disk Permissions option to troubleshoot permissions problems in Mac OS X 10.2 or later versions. To use the Repair Disk Permissions option, follow these steps:
- On the Go menu, click Utilities.
- Start the Disk Utility program.
- Click the primary hard disk drive for your computer.
- Click the First Aid tab.
- Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Note
The Disk Utility program only repairs software that is installed by Apple. This utility also repairs folders, such as the Applications folder. However, this utility does not repair software that is in your home folder.
Open Excel and check if the issue is resolved. If it is not, continue to Method 3.
Method 3
Create and use a new user account
To create a new user account, use the following procedure.
Note
You many have to reinstall Office if you log on with a new account.
Click the Apple icon, and then click System Preferences.
Click Accounts.
Click the plus sign ('+') in the lower-left corner to open the new account window.
Note
If you are not the Administrator of the computer, click Click the lock to make changes. Log on by using your Administrator user name and password, and then click OK.
Type the word Test for the user name, and leave the password box blank. Click Create Account. When you receive a warning, click OK.
Click to select Allow User to Administer this computer. (If this option is not available, just go to the next step).
Click the Apple icon, and then click Log Out name.
Log on with your Test account.
Open Excel and check if the issue is resolved. If you can save when you use a new user account, contact Apple support to troubleshoot your existing account. If you do not want to keep your existing account, you can rename the 'Test' account that you create in the following procedure, and continue to use that account. If it is not, continue to Method 4.
Method 4
Remove and then reinstall Office
For information about how to remove and then reinstall Office, see the following article:
Third-party disclaimer information
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
The information and the solution in this document represent the current view of Microsoft Corporation on these issues as of the date of publication. This solution is available through Microsoft or through a third-party provider. Microsoft does not specifically recommend any third-party provider or third-party solution that this article might describe. There might also be other third-party providers or third-party solutions that this article does not describe. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, this information should not be interpreted to be a commitment by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of any information or of any solution that is presented by Microsoft or by any mentioned third-party provider.
Overview of Recover Unsaved Excel on Mac
This page offers 3 reliable methods to help you recover unsaved Excel file on Mac. If you happen to lose unsaved excel file or deleted it by mistake on Mac, stay calm and pick up any method to bring your lost excel file back now:
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Method 1. Recover TMP Folder | Go to 'Applications' > 'Utilities' > 'Terminal' > Type $TMPDIR and hit Return..Full steps |
| Method 2. Recover from AutoSave | Go to 'Applications' >' Utilities' > 'Terminal' > Type 'defaults write com.apple.Finder..'..Full steps |
| Method 3. Use Recovery Software | Run EaseUS file recovery software > Scan device > Recover deleted or lost excel..Full steps |
Excel For Macbook Pro
On the whole, Excel files may get lost due to the program crash, Mac shutting down unexpected, accidental deletion, hard drive formatting, or virus attack. If the Excel files already gone are unsaved, you can use the two solutions in Part 1 to recover them in large part. While if you have mistakenly permanently deleted the Excel files or the saved documents are disappeared caused by other reasons, there is no way but use professional and free data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery for Mac recommended in Part 2 to get them back. Read on and see the details.
Part 1. How to Recover Unsaved Excel File on Mac
How many of you have ever met this problem that the Excel is suddenly stuck and fails to respond to Mac? Then you have to follow the instruction to close the program and lose the unsaved file you have been working on for a few hours unsurprisingly. And the unexpected Mac shutting down can also bring the same result. Whatever led the accident, you have a chance to recover Excel file not saved on Mac.
Method 1. Restore Unsaved Excel File from the Temporary Folder
Follow steps provided below to restore unsaved Excel file on Mac from Temporary/Temp folder.
1. Go to 'Applications' > 'Utilities' > 'Terminal'.
2. Type open $TMPDIR and press 'Return' to open the Temporary files folder. Select the folder named 'TemporaryItems'.
3. Find the unsaved Excel file under 'TemporaryItems' and restore.
Excel For Mac Pro
Method 2. Recover Lost or Unsaved Excel File from AutoSave on Mac
Excel provides you with useful features as AutoSave and AutoRecover to protect file after an accident, like Excel/Mac crash or closure.
- AutoSave: It automatically saves a new Excel document that has been created but not saved yet.
- AutoRecover: It can help users retrieve unsaved Excel files on Mac.
If the two are enabled, you can probably make unsaved file recovery on Mac in Excel 2016 - 2010. Because the AutoRecovery file has been hidden, you need to make it visible to recover unsaved Excel file.
1. Go to 'Applications' >' Utilities' > 'Terminal'.
2. Type defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true into Terminal and hit 'Return' to make all the items visible.
3. Google files pc. Click 'Finder' > press 'Return' on your Mac.
4. Type /Users/username/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery and click 'Go' to open Excel's AutoRecovery folder.
5. Find the unsaved spreadsheet files. Then recover it to another safe location on Mac.
Method 3. Recover Lost or Unsaved Excel File with EaseUS
Now EaseUS Data Recovery for Mac supports you to recover unsaved Excel files. Download the software and follow the 3-steps guide below.
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, hover the mouse over the device where you lost unsaved file, and click 'Scan'.
Step 2. After the scan, click 'Type', and expand 'Unsaved Documents'. Click the exact file type - Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Keynote, Pages, Numbers you lost without saving.
Step 3. Double-click to preview your unsaved file, select the right version and click 'Recover' to save the file to another secure location on Mac.
Part 2. How to Restore Deleted/Lost Excel File on Mac in 3 Steps
You may get the unsaved Excel file back with the above two approaches. But you can't use them to recover lost Excel file from due to accidental deletion, hard drive formatting, system crash, or storage device corruption. Then, what to do at this kind of circumstances? Don't worry. Here comes EaseUS Mac File Recovery Freeware. As a leading data recovery tool, it allows you to do Office document recovery, email recovery, photos recovery, as well as other data recovery.
Microsoft Office For Mac
Now, install it and follow the following tips to restore deleted or lost Excel file on Mac in 3 simple steps.
Step 1. Select the location where your important Excel files were lost and click Scan button.
Step 2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will start immediately a quick scan as well as a deep scan on your selected disk volume. Meanwhile, the scanning results will be presented in the left pane.
Step 3. By Path and Type, you can quickly filter the Excel files you've lost earlier. Select the target files and click Recover Now button to get them back at once.
After this, you'll get the lost Excel file back and continue your job with the file again. You can also apply this Mac data recovery software to restore deleted photos, music, videos or other data on Mac for free.
