Excel crashes when saving password protected file (Office 365 ProPlus)

Question

I have my passwords in a password-protected .xlsx file.

I'm having intermittent problems with Office 365 ProPlus when I modify the file and try to save it.

Some days: no problem.

More often, I go to save the file after modifying an entry, and it spins for 5 mins-4 hours. When I close the app, it won't re-open the file unless I re-boot--even then it may/may not work.

I've updated/re-installed Office 365. I'm always on the most current version.

I've created a NEW file with fake entries, saved it, no problem. *But when I tell Excel to password-protect the file, most of the time, the spinning I mentioned above takes place.

File is saved locally on HDD, not to cloud.

What is going on with this software?

Interesting coincidence: I can always tell when there is a pending MSFT update (Patch Tuesday) when Excel stops working. Sure enough, I go to Power and see "Update and Restart..."

Answer 1

Hi Jasonb47,

Do you have any update? If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Regards,

Jared

Answer 2

Hi Jasonb47,

Please check if there are many custom settings like hyperlink or others in the Excel data. If yes, you can remove the custom format to check the outcome. Here are the steps: copy this Excel file > Open the copy, Ctrl+A to select all the data > click "Clear" button in the "Editing" section > Clear Formats. Then check if the issue remains.

Besides, you can try closing the anti-virus software or turn off the internet connectivity to check if the issue related to the client itself.

Meanwhile, please check if the same issue occurs to other Office apps like Word or PowerPoint after encrypting them.

Regards,

Jared

Answer 3

Read this blog: http://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Password-Protected-Excel-File

Answer 4

I tried repairing the Office application several times over several days. No joy.

I'll try the file repair step, though I'm skeptical.

In the meantime, here is the info on how I change an entry & encrypt the file:

-in example below, change the value in Column D (password)

-save file

*note: file is encrypted via File/Protect Workbook/Encrypt with Password

Also attached is the screenshot you requested re: Office version.

Answer 5

Hi Jasonb47,

You can try the following ways to check the outcome:

a. Online Repair: Right click Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features (Category View) > Uninstall a program > Right click the MS product (like: Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus) > Change > Online repair. Please refer to: Repair an Office application.

b. Open the problematic Excel file in safe mode to check if the issue remains. Below are the steps:

1. Find the shortcut icon for your Office application.

2. Press and hold the CTRL key and double-click the application shortcut.

3. Click Yes when a window appears asking if you want to start the application in Safe Mode.

If the issue persists, I'd like to know the following information so we can better analyze the issue:

1. The details of the "entry" and how you modify the entry and encrypt the Excel file.
2. The screenshot of the page spins when saving it and where the entry changed file saved. Still in local?
3. Screenshot of the Office version: Excel > File > Account > the part below "Product Information".

Regards,

Jared