Excel 16.97 update error

Hi MikePugh2

Thank you for posting here in Community.

I understand how important this with you especially when you've encountered similar issues before and had a workaround that worked. No worries—we’ll figure out a solution to get Microsoft Excel updated properly.

Possible Causes & Fixes

1. Restart & Try Again
   • Sometimes, a simple restart clears temporary update issues.
   • Restart your Mac, then attempt the update again.
2. Check Available Disk Space
   • Go to Apple Menu → About This Mac → Storage.
   • Ensure you have enough free space for the update. Lack of space can cause installation failures.
3. Install Updates Through Microsoft AutoUpdate
   • Open Microsoft Excel → Help → Check for Updates.
   • Make sure Microsoft AutoUpdate is running and can install the update.
4. Delete Temporary Update Files & Retry
   • Go to Library > Application Support > Microsoft > MAU and delete temporary files.
   • Then, restart the update process.
5. Download & Install Excel Manually
   • While Microsoft typically provides updates through AutoUpdate, you can try downloading the latest version directly: Microsoft Office for Mac. Update history for Office for Mac - Office release notes | Microsoft Learn - You can choose the latest standalone Excel

     	April 15, 2025	16.96 (25041326)

6. Try Installing in Safe Mode
   • Restart your Mac and hold Shift to enter Safe Mode.
   • Then, attempt to install the update from there.

Hopefully one of these fixes gets Excel running smoothly for you again!

Best regards,

Bo

Microsoft Community

I'm on the beta channel, so 16.97 is the latest version. Do you have the Beta location to Download & Install Excel Manually?

Beta builds are available only via AutoUpdate.

Things you might try:

Verify your Mac's startup volume:

How to repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility

Reinstall AutoUpdate:
Download a copy of the current version of AutoUpdate from this link, install and then run AutoUpdate to bring your installation to current update level, then restart your Mac. If the updater does not open automatically after download, double-click the downloaded .pkg file. Click this link to download the updater. The update is free.

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=830196

Boot your Mac to Safe Mode and then try to update again

How to Boot in Safe Mode on an Apple Silicon Powered Mac

Older macs: Perform a Safe Boot by holding the SHIFT key down as your Mac starts up from a restart or shut down.

Hi, I've been through those steps. No issues with the storage. Installed latest from pkg. Tried from Safe Mode
NO joy I'm afraid.

OK we've beat the install issues to death and ruled out just about everything. It's time to focus on the OS.

First, verify the startup volume

Repair a disk using Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

Then, make a new user account in Mac OS System Preferences and try again in the new user..