Keyboard not working in EXCEL only

Question

Keyboard not working in EXCEL only

Maria McCoy 10

My keyboard is no longer working in EXCEL only. I have a Macbook Air M4, 2025. I did try shutting down, logging out and back in and neither resolved this. I recently upgraded to Tahoe 26.5.2. While I am not a 100% certain, I believe this has happened since that upgrade.

Maria McCoy 10 Reputation points

2026-07-21T21:50:27.3433333+00:00

Also, I can move around, add a comment, etc. I just can not type anything into a cell or edit anything in a cell.

2 answers

Your answer

Maria McCoy 10 Reputation points

2026-07-21T21:50:27.3433333+00:00

Also, I can move around, add a comment, etc. I just can not type anything into a cell or edit anything in a cell.

Answer 1

Norah-L 9,450 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Maria McCoy,

I understand that your keyboard works normally elsewhere but has stopped responding only in Excel after upgrading your MacBook Air to macOS Tahoe 26.5.2. This may be caused by an outdated Office build, an Excel activation or preference issue, or a background utility conflicting with Excel.

Please try the options below and check whether the issue continues:

Open a blank workbook and test typing. If this happens only in one file, select Review > Unprotect Sheet and check whether the file is read-only.
In Excel, select Help > Check for Updates, then install all available Office updates.
Select Excel > About Microsoft Excel to check the version. Also confirm Excel shows the correct Microsoft 365 account and does not display Activation Required or View Only.
If Excel is already updated but the issue continues, start your Mac in Safe Mode and test typing in Excel. Safe Mode temporarily prevents startup software and third-party utilities from loading. If the keyboard works properly there, restart normally, then temporarily disable items under System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Reopen Excel after each change to identify the app or background utility causing the conflict.

Disclaimer: While the linked article above is not a Microsoft website, it is the official site of Apple.

If the issue persists, completely uninstall Office and restart your Mac. Then follow Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac and sign in with the account linked to your subscription to reinstall Office.

As a temporary workaround, open the workbook in Excel for the web and continue editing there, if possible, while troubleshooting the desktop app.

Please let me know how it goes after trying these steps, and I'll be glad to continue looking into it with you.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" to accept answer and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Norah-L 9,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-26T03:32:07.4733333+00:00

Dear Maria,

Just a gentle follow‑up here.

Please let me know if you’ve made any progress or need additional guidance.
Paul Finer 5 Reputation points

2026-07-31T14:49:21.68+00:00

I am having exactly the same problems as Maria. My Excel version was updated yesterday and I can no longer type letters or numbers. The arrow keys works and the tab key. If I insert a comment, the keyboard works for that but not in a normal cell. I need this fixed asap!
Maria McCoy 10 Reputation points

2026-07-31T23:19:17.5533333+00:00

I was not able to get any of the above to work either. And I have since upgraded again to the latest version of OS and still can not edit in a cell in Excel. All my other Microsoft apps seems to be fine.
Norah-L 9,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-03T02:20:29.6133333+00:00

Dear Maria, Paul Finer, Maria McCoy,

I recommend following the troubleshooting steps suggested in this thread to see if the problem can be resolved.
Excel for Mac - Can't type in cells - Solution (July/August 2026)

Hope this can help. Thank you all for your patience!
Paul Finer 5 Reputation points

2026-08-03T07:14:00.0133333+00:00

I just tried the steps in that link, both using System preferences and the command line and I still can't edit any cells. Is there anyway to get access to/download the version of Excel before the July update?
Maria McCoy 10 Reputation points

2026-08-03T16:17:38.8333333+00:00

Only thing I have not done is uninstall and reinstall and I am not willing to do that without someone stepping me through it on the phone.
Paul Finer 5 Reputation points

2026-08-03T17:12:51.7866667+00:00

I tried uninstalling Excel and redownloaded it but it still didn't work. This is really poor from Microsoft, I need this for my work and I'm stuck right now.
Norah-L 9,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-03T23:48:44.58+00:00

Hi everyone,

As a temporary workaround, try uninstalling the current Office installation, then install Office for Mac version 16.110.2 from June 30, 2026 using the suite installer listed in Update history for Office for Mac. After installation, open Help > Check for Updates and clear Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date to prevent it from immediately reinstalling the newer build. Please keep in mind that this is only a temporary workaround, please re-enable automatic updates once the issue is resolved, as older builds may not include the latest security fixes.

In the meantime, I suggest sending feedback directly from Excel for Mac so the relevant product team can review the issue. Open Excel, select Help > Feedback, and include your Excel version, macOS version, and when the problem started.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, cannot directly investigate product issues or access back-end systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance and possible workarounds for reported issues, requests, or ideas.
Paul Finer 5 Reputation points

2026-08-04T06:44:10.2233333+00:00

I have downloaded the June version of Office and my Excel is working again now! Thankyou!
Norah-L 9,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T06:50:16.3266667+00:00

Paul, thank you for posting back with an update. I’m glad to hear that it's working back. Your feedback may also help others who are experiencing the same problem.

Answer 2

HANADY FAROUK MORSY MOHAMED 21

You can search on YouTube about this problem y'll find problems similar to yours

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