Need help with issue

laura H 0 Reputation points
2026-06-19T14:37:44.3833333+00:00

why is my excel not working properly everytime i make a project it closes

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | Other | Other

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  1. Kai-L 15,010 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-19T15:18:53.86+00:00

    Dear @laura,

    Good day, and thank you for reaching out to the Q&A Forum

    I’m sorry to hear that Excel keeps closing whenever you try to create or work on a project. I understand how inconvenient this can be, especially when it prevents you from completing your work as expected. As a forum moderator, I genuinely wish I could directly access your device or review the backend system details to diagnose and resolve this for you. However, my role here is limited to providing general guidance and suggestions that users can try on their side.

    To better understand the issue and help narrow down the possible cause, could you please share a few more details?

    • What exactly happens when Excel closes? For example, does it freeze, crash immediately, show an error message, or close without warning?
    • Does this happen with every Excel file, or only with one specific project/file?
    • Are you using the Excel desktop app, Excel for the web, or Excel on mobile?
    • Which version of Office/Microsoft 365 are you using? For example, Microsoft 365 Apps, Office 2021, Office 2019, etc.
    • When did the issue start? Did it begin after an Office update, Windows update, add-in installation, or template change?
    • Does Excel open normally in Safe Mode?
    • Do other Office apps, such as Word or PowerPoint, also close unexpectedly, or is the issue only with Excel?
    • If possible, could you share a screenshot of the issue? Please make sure to hide or blur any personal or sensitive information before uploading it.

    In the meantime, you can try repair office to see if it helps:

    • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
    • Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office > click the three dots > Modify > choose Online Repair (not Quick Repair).
    • This can take 15–30 minutes.
    • Restart your PC afterward.

    For reference: Repair an Office application | Microsoft Support

    Once I have more information, I can provide more targeted guidance or help point you toward the appropriate support path. In the meantime, I also recommend checking the answer and link provided by AI above, as they may already contain useful information related to your issue.

    Thank you for your patience and understanding. I look forward to your reply.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-19T14:38:02.59+00:00

    Excel closing while working on a project usually indicates a crash. Use these steps to troubleshoot and narrow down the cause:

    1. Start Excel in Safe Mode and check add-ins
      • Open Run (Windows key + R) and type: Excel /safe → OK.
      • If Excel stays open and works in safe mode, disable add-ins:
        1. File → Options → Add-ins.
        2. In Manage, choose COM Add-ins → Go.
        3. Clear all checkboxes → OK.
        4. Close Excel and reopen normally (not in safe mode).
      • If it works now, re-enable add-ins one by one, restarting Excel each time, until the crashing returns. The last enabled add-in is the likely cause.
    2. Install the latest updates
      Out-of-date Office or Windows components can cause crashes.
    3. Repair Microsoft 365/Office
      If all Office apps are affected or Excel still crashes:
      • Close all Office apps.
      • Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
      • Find Microsoft 365 (or Office) → three dots → Modify.
      • Choose Online Repair and confirm. Let it complete, then restart the PC and test Excel again.
    4. Check if Excel is busy with another process
      • Look at the status bar at the bottom of Excel. If it says Excel is in use by another process, wait for that task to finish before editing further. Interrupting heavy operations can contribute to instability.
    5. Investigate the specific workbook
      Some workbooks crash Excel due to their content. Try:
      • Creating a brand-new workbook and doing similar steps. If the new file works, the original file may have:
        • Formulas referencing entire columns.
        • Complex array formulas.
        • Hundreds or thousands of hidden objects.
        • Excessive styles or invalid defined names.
      • If the problem only occurs with one file, simplify or rebuild that file.
    6. Check antivirus interaction
      • Make sure antivirus is up to date (check the vendor’s update feature).
      • If the antivirus integrates with Excel, temporarily disable that Excel integration or related add-ins in Excel.
      • Be aware that changing antivirus settings can increase risk; consult the antivirus vendor’s guidance.
    7. Test with a clean Windows startup
      Other background programs can conflict with Excel.
      • Perform a selective startup (clean boot) using System Configuration as described in the Windows article linked from the Excel support page.
      • Test Excel. If it stops crashing in a clean boot, re-enable services/apps gradually to find the conflicting program.
    8. Check environment and file location
      • Save the workbook locally (e.g., Desktop) instead of a network share, SharePoint, or redirected folder, then test.
      • If it works locally, the issue may be with the network or storage environment.

    If Excel still closes unexpectedly after these steps, contact Microsoft Support for guided troubleshooting, as the issue may be environmental or profile-specific.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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