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Excel removed from my computer (Mac) after Microsoft update on 18 February. 2026

Valerie-Nina Castonguay 0 Reputation points
2026-02-20T12:31:40.2433333+00:00

Excel removed from my computer (Mac) after Microsoft update on 18 February. 2026

I see my Excel files but am unable to open them. When trying to open an Excel file, a prompt "The application Microsoft Excel can't be opened". Please advise

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS
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  1. Jhun Buala 5,240 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-20T13:47:39.2433333+00:00

    Hi Valerie-Nina Castonguay,

    Good day. I'm Jhun an independent advisor. Sorry to hear your problem with you Excel which was removed from your PC. The Microsoft 365 update might be failed or partially installed which cause the removal from your system. Let's try these steps in order.

    A. Check if Excel is actually installed.

    1. Open Finder
    2. Go to Applications
    3. Look for Microsoft Excel.app

    B. If Excel is not there (from Step A), try to reinstall.

    1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services.
    2. Sign in.
    3. Click Install Microsoft 365.
    4. Download and run the installer.

    C. If Excel is there (from Step A), try opening the Excel app directly. Dont open it from a file.

    1. After opening the app and it prompts "The application Microsoft Excel can’t be opened”. This means the App is corrupted, MacOs security blocking the app (see Step D) or A broken update.

    D. For macOS Security blocking issue (From Step C).

    1. Go to System Settings.
    2. Privacy and Security.
    3. Scroll down.
    4. Look for a message like: “Microsoft Excel was blocked from use”
    5. If you see it, click Allow Anyway.
    6. Then try opening Excel again.

    E. Check also your PC's storage. Low storage during update can damage the app.

    I hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Jhun

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  2. AI answer

    2026-02-20T12:33:22.28+00:00

    If Excel has been removed from your Mac after a Microsoft update and you are unable to open Excel files, you can try the following steps to resolve the issue:

    1. Reinstall Office: Since Excel seems to be missing, you may need to reinstall Microsoft Office. You can find instructions on how to download and install Office for Mac from the official Microsoft support site.
    2. Check for Updates: Ensure that your macOS and Microsoft Office are both updated to the latest versions. Sometimes, compatibility issues can arise from outdated software.
    3. Repair Disk Permissions: If you are using macOS 10.2 or later, you can use the Repair Disk Permissions feature to troubleshoot any permissions problems that might be preventing Excel from opening. To do this:
      • Go to the Go menu and select Utilities.
      • Open Disk Utility.
      • Select your primary hard disk drive and click on the First Aid tab, then select Repair Disk Permissions.
    4. Check Application Folder: Make sure that the Excel application is indeed in the Applications folder. If it is not, reinstalling Office should restore it.
    5. Safe Mode: Try starting your Mac in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if background applications are interfering with Excel.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

    References:

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

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