Excel error

Question

Went to open excel and an error appeared on the screen saying that Excel had an error and stopped working.

Option was to repair now, help and close. I selected HELP. Then I tried to 'Save As' the Document and I didn't get any filing status box to name the fille.

Recommendations?

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

Kindly follow the steps provided by the AI answer. However, if the issue persists, I recommend reinstalling the Office app by following the steps below:

Press the Windows key + R, then type in:

appwiz.cpl

Then hit OK

Look for the Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 app > Right-click, then select Uninstall

Follow the prompts to uninstall your Office app.

Then reinstall your Office app by following the steps from the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2024-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658

Note: This is a public forum. I may respond shortly, but I apologize in advance for any delays. I am simply a fellow user trying to provide helpful insights and information.

Answer 2

Use the built-in repair and basic Excel troubleshooting steps to restore normal behavior.

1. Let Office run its repair
   • Close Excel and any other Office apps.
   • When the “Excel has run into an error” dialog appears again, choose Repair now and let it complete.
2. Start Excel in Safe Mode (checks add-ins)
   • Press Windows key + R.
   • Type excel /safe and press Enter.
   • If Excel opens in Safe Mode and Save As works normally, an add-in is likely causing the problem.
   • In Safe Mode go to File > Options > Add‑Ins.
   • At the bottom, in Manage, choose Excel Add-ins (or COM Add-ins) and select Go.
   • Uncheck one add-in at a time, click OK, then restart Excel normally and test Save As until the issue disappears.
3. Run an Online Repair of Microsoft 365
   • Close all Office apps.
   • Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
   • Find Microsoft 365 (or Office) > click the three dots > Modify.
   • Select Online Repair and confirm. Let it finish and then restart Windows.
   • Open Excel again and test Save As.
4. Check for incompatible drivers or system issues
   • Install the latest Windows updates:
     • Windows 11: Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
     • Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Check online for updates from Microsoft Update.
   • After updates and restart, test Excel again.
5. If the issue happens only with one workbook
   • The file itself may be damaged. Try:
     • Open Excel, then File > Open > Browse, select the file.
     • Click the arrow next to Open and choose Open and Repair.
   • If it opens and works, save it as a new file and use that going forward.

If Excel still shows the error on every start after these steps, a full uninstall of Office followed by reinstall can be used as a last resort, making sure all Office components are removed before reinstalling.

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References:

• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working
• You receive an error message when you try to open an Office document
• Open a document after a file corruption error
• When I open an excel file it shows - We're sorry, but excel has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly, Excel will need to be closed as a result. would you like us to repair now? then shows the option "repair now","help","close" - Microsoft Q&A
• How can I get office 365 to work? - Microsoft Q&A
• Excel unable to edit - Microsoft Q&A
• Firmware updated caused microsoft office to stop working - Microsoft Q&A