I have a new macbook and i can not write in excel with my new computer, why?

frederique pellerin 20 Reputation points
2026-08-24T07:17:38.1166667+00:00

On my new macbook, I can not write anthing in excel.

I tried in previous and in new worksheet, I can not write letters or numbers ...

In Word, everything works well.

How to resolve the issue in Excel?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS
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Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 929.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-24T11:27:46.0933333+00:00

Thank you for that information, there is no problem indicated with your Office or MacOS version, this is caused by the July update, the working method to resolve this problem is to use the steps provided on the link below to completely uninstall the Office apps, then download the Office apps from your Microsoft account (https://account.microsoft.com/services/) again.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/uninstall-office-for-mac

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  1. DaveM121 929.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-24T07:52:53.69+00:00

    There are a couple of widely reported problems with the Office apps on an Apple Mac at the moment.

    1

    What version of Microsoft Office do you have, is that a subscription to Microsoft 365 or a standalone version of Office like Office 2019, 2021 or 2024.

    2

    At the top left of your Desktop, click the Apple icon and select 'About this Mac', what version of MacOS is installed on your computer?

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-24T07:17:53.7933333+00:00

    This is commonly an Excel-specific issue on Mac when Word still works normally. Try these steps in order:

    1. Check macOS file access for Excel.
      • Open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders.
      • Find Microsoft Excel and expand it.
      • Turn on access for available locations such as Documents, Desktop, and Downloads.
      • If access is already on, turn one permission off and back on.
      • Restart the Mac, then test a blank workbook.
    2. If Excel is not listed in Files and Folders:
      • Open an existing spreadsheet from Documents or Desktop.
      • If macOS shows a permission prompt, select Allow.
      • Then test typing in a blank workbook again.
    3. Reset Excel preferences.
      • Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac apps.
      • In Finder, select Go > Home.
      • Open Library. If Library is hidden, hold OPTION while opening the Go menu.
      • Open Preferences.
      • Drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the desktop.
      • Open Excel and test.
      • If the issue is fixed, move that file to the Trash. If not, restore it.
    4. Reset the secondary Excel preferences file if needed.
      • Quit all Office for Mac apps.
      • Go to Home > Library > Preferences > Microsoft.
      • Drag com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist to the desktop.
      • Open Excel and test.
      • If the issue is fixed, move that file to the Trash.
    5. Test with a new macOS user account.
      • Open Apple icon > System Preferences > Accounts.
      • Select the + button to create a new account.
      • Sign in to that new account and open Excel.
      • If typing works there, the problem is likely with the original macOS account settings.
    6. If the problem continues, reinstall Office.
      • Reinstalling Office is the next documented step after preference reset and new-user testing.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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