OneDrive not sync

Question

Installed microsoft 365 on new MacBook pro but excel files not syncing and options greyed out

Answer 1

Hello Ted Hatley,

I realize that you've encountered a problem with OneDrive sync. I truly understand your confusion. Let me assist you further.

For me to provide the most accurate solution, would you please let me know few information about the situation you're experiencing:

1. Do you see the OneDrive cloud icon in the Mac menu bar?
2. Does OneDrive show “Up to date”, “Paused”, or an error?
3. When the Excel file is open, does the title bar say “Saved to OneDrive” or “This Mac”?
4. Are you signed into Excel and OneDrive with the same Microsoft account?
5. Were these files migrated/copied from an old Mac (Migration Assistant / Time Machine)?

Once I have this information, I will be able to assist you better. In the meantime, please try these basic troubleshoot steps:

1.Quit & restart OneDrive (unsticks greyed options)

Click OneDrive cloud icon

Select Quit OneDrive

Press Cmd + Space > open OneDrive again

2. Unlink and relink OneDrive (most effective fix)

Click OneDrive cloud icon > Settings > Preferences

Open Account tab

Click Unlink this Mac

Close OneDrive

Reopen OneDrive and sign in

When asked, choose Use this folder

No cloud files are deleted.

3. Clear corrupted credentials (fixes greyed‑out save/sync)

Press Cmd + Space > search Keychain Access

Search for: OneDrive

Delete:

• OneDrive Cached Credential
• Microsoft Office Identities (if present)

Restart macOS

Open OneDrive and sign in again

I hope this help. I am looking forward for your respond!

Answer 2

Try these steps on the MacBook Pro to resolve OneDrive sync and greyed-out options for Excel files:

1. Confirm OneDrive is running
   • Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar (top-right of the screen).
   • If it is not visible, use Spotlight (Command+Space) and search for OneDrive, then open it.
2. Check that OneDrive can access files online
   • Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar.
   • Click the three dots (…) to open the menu.
   • Select View online and confirm that sign-in to OneDrive works and files are visible.
   • If sign-in to OneDrive.com fails, check the Microsoft Office Online Services status at the Service Health portal.
3. Update OneDrive to the latest version
   • If OneDrive is not installed or might be outdated, download the latest sync app for Mac from the official download link or the Mac App Store as described in the documentation.
   • Use Spotlight to search for OneDrive and open it.
   • When OneDrive Setup starts, sign in with the Microsoft 365 account and complete setup.
4. Fix basic sync issues
   • Make sure the OneDrive process is running (cloud icon present in menu bar).
   • If it is running but Excel files are not syncing, select the OneDrive icon, then choose Quit OneDrive.
   • Use Spotlight to search for OneDrive again and reopen it to restart the sync client.
5. If sync is stuck (for example, “Processing changes”) or options remain greyed out
   • Pause and resume syncing:
     1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon, then Help & Settings.
     2. Select Pause syncing and choose a time.
     3. Move one file from a OneDrive sync folder to a folder that is not part of OneDrive.
     4. Select the OneDrive icon again and choose Resume syncing.
     5. After sync completes, move the file back into the OneDrive folder.
   • If this does not help, reset OneDrive (note: this disconnects existing sync connections but does not delete files in the cloud). After reset, sign in again and let OneDrive perform a full sync.
6. Re-link the OneDrive account if sign-in or permissions are corrupted
   • Open Keychain Access (via Spotlight → search for “keychain”).
   • Search for “OneDrive”.
   • Delete OneDrive Cached Credential (or delete the OneDrive-related keychain as described in the documentation).
   • Use Spotlight to open OneDrive again.
   • Sign in; when prompted that the OneDrive folder already exists, choose Use this folder (or Choose new folder if a different location is preferred).
   • Allow time for files to re-sync; then verify that Excel files are available and options are no longer greyed out.

If Excel options remain greyed out after OneDrive is syncing correctly, verify that the Microsoft 365 subscription includes desktop apps and that the correct account is signed into both Office and OneDrive.

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References:

• Fix OneDrive sync issues on MacOS
• Fix OneDrive sync problems on Mac