Unable to save files. Excel doesnt prompt the save file window

Hi @Alej Andra

Thanks for the additional details.

Since this is happening on macOS, there is one important correction: the Windows command "excel /safe" does not apply to Excel for Mac.

On Mac, the equivalent troubleshooting approach is to isolate add-ins, startup items, preferences, and background processes manually.

Because you mentioned that the same Save/Save As problem also happened in Word a few days ago, I would not treat this as an Excel-only issue.

I would check these items:

1. Make sure Office is fully updated.

In Excel, go to:

Help → Check for Updates

and install any available Microsoft AutoUpdate updates.

2. Temporarily disable Office add-ins.

In Excel and Word, check:

Home → Add-ins

or

Insert → Add-ins

and temporarily disable/remove any third-party add-ins, then restart the apps and test again.

3. The next time the problem occurs, before restarting the Mac, test whether the issue affects multiple Office apps.

For example:

• Excel → Save As
• Word → Save As

If both fail at the same time, that strongly suggests a shared Office/macOS component rather than an individual workbook or Excel add-in.

4. Also test saving to a simple local folder such as:

Desktop

rather than OneDrive, iCloud, SharePoint, or a network location.

5. If the issue returns, note whether the macOS file picker appears in other applications such as TextEdit.

That test is important: if other apps also fail to show a Save dialog, the problem may be with the macOS file dialog/service rather than Office itself.

Microsoft has also documented recent Mac Office issues where applications can enter a reduced-functionality state and become unable to save or create files, so checking Office updates and activation status is worthwhile.

Since restarting the Mac temporarily fixed the problem, I would avoid reinstalling Office for now. If it happens again, testing Word, Excel, and a non-Office app before restarting will tell us much more about where the failure is occurring.

If this answer was helpful, please consider marking it as helpful or accepting it as the answer.

Hi, @Alej Andra

To help narrow this down:

1. Are you using Excel on Windows or Mac, and what version of Excel/Microsoft 365 do you have?
2. Does this happen with every workbook, including a new blank one, or only with one specific file?

If you haven’t tried it yet, first, create a new blank workbook, enter something, then try "File" > "Save As" and save it to a local folder such as Desktop or Documents.

Also, after clicking "Save As," check whether the Save window opened behind Excel or off-screen by switching between open windows.

If the new workbook saves normally, the issue may be with the original file or its save location, such as OneDrive or a network folder.

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

Hi @Alej Andra

Since both Save As and the normal Save action are not completing, I would first determine whether this is caused by an Excel add-in or by Excel itself.

Please try this:

1. Close Excel completely.

Press Windows + R.

Type:

excel /safe

Press Enter.

Create a new blank workbook and try:

File → Save As

If the Save As window appears and the file saves normally in Safe Mode, the most likely cause is an add-in or startup component.

In that case, go to:

File → Options → Add-ins → Manage COM Add-ins → Go

Disable all COM Add-ins, restart Excel normally, and test again. If saving starts working, re-enable the add-ins one at a time until you identify the one causing the issue.

If Save As still does not work in Safe Mode, try saving a brand-new workbook to a simple local location such as the Desktop.

If that also fails, I would then repair Office:

Settings → Apps → Installed Apps → Microsoft 365 / Office → Modify

Start with Quick Repair. If the problem remains, run Online Repair.

Also please let us know:

Which Excel/Office version you are using

Whether this happens with every workbook or only one file

Whether Word or PowerPoint can open a Save As dialog normally

Whether Excel saves correctly in Safe Mode

Whether the files are local, OneDrive, SharePoint, or a network location

Those details will help determine whether this is an Excel-specific issue, a file-location problem, or an Office installation issue.

If this answer was helpful, please consider marking it as helpful or accepting it as the answer.Hi,

Since both Save As and the normal Save action are not completing, I would first determine whether this is caused by an Excel add-in or by Excel itself.

Please try this:

Close Excel completely.

Press Windows + R.

Type:

excel /safe

Press Enter.

Create a new blank workbook and try:

File → Save As

If the Save As window appears and the file saves normally in Safe Mode, the most likely cause is an add-in or startup component.

In that case, go to:

File → Options → Add-ins → Manage COM Add-ins → Go

Disable all COM Add-ins, restart Excel normally, and test again. If saving starts working, re-enable the add-ins one at a time until you identify the one causing the issue.

If Save As still does not work in Safe Mode, try saving a brand-new workbook to a simple local location such as the Desktop.

If that also fails, I would then repair Office:

Settings → Apps → Installed Apps → Microsoft 365 / Office → Modify

Start with Quick Repair. If the problem remains, run Online Repair.

Also please let us know:

Which Excel/Office version you are using

Whether this happens with every workbook or only one file

Whether Word or PowerPoint can open a Save As dialog normally

Whether Excel saves correctly in Safe Mode

Whether the files are local, OneDrive, SharePoint, or a network location

Those details will help determine whether this is an Excel-specific issue, a file-location problem, or an Office installation issue.

If this answer was helpful, please consider marking it as helpful or accepting it as the answer.