Laptop app spreadsheet changes not merging with OneDrive spreadsheet

Question

Laptop app spreadsheet changes not merging with OneDrive spreadsheet

K Harris 20

My local MacBook Pro Excel app is stuck on the 'Performing Cleanup' for one excel spreadsheet. It has not merged changes to my OneDrive. I have the AutoSave on at all times. This is the second time it has happened, the first time on a separate spreadsheet. Why is this happening and how can I remedy this please?

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Answer accepted by question author

Xavier-D 11,765 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello K Harris

I can see that you are having issue with Laptop app spreadsheet changes not merging with OneDrive spreadsheet

“Performing Cleanup” can remain stuck when Excel cannot reconcile its local edits with the cloud copy, for example because of a network interruption or conflicting changes. Excel may retain an unmerged local copy rather than upload the changes automatically.

Before force-quitting Excel, please try the following:

If Excel displays Merge Conflict, select Open My Unmerged Copy or Merge My Changes.
Save the local workbook under a new name outside OneDrive to protect the unsynced edits.
On the Mac, check this folder for an automatically saved unmerged copy: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/TemporaryBackupFile
Once the edits are secured, reopen the workbook from within Excel using File > Open > OneDrive, rather than from Recent or an older Finder shortcut.
If AutoSave still fails, use File > Save As and select the current OneDrive location under Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive. A changed OneDrive path on newer macOS versions can prevent Office from saving correctly.

Also check the OneDrive cloud icon for a sync error, paused status, sign-in request, or full storage. If the problem continues across different workbooks, unlinking and relinking the Mac from OneDrive > Preferences > Account > Unlink this Mac can refresh the sync connection.

I hope this helps you preserve the current changes and restore reliable syncing.

Feel free reply back to this post if you need further assistance, I'll be happy to help.

Xavier-D 11,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-24T00:40:12.58+00:00

Hi K Harris

I’m following up to check on the status of this issue.

Have you had an opportunity to review the answer shared earlier?

Any update you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

2 additional answers

Your answer

Xavier-D 11,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-24T00:40:12.58+00:00

Hi K Harris

I’m following up to check on the status of this issue.

Have you had an opportunity to review the answer shared earlier?

Any update you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

K Harris 20

Hi Xavier, thanks for checking in, your comments have helped and it has resolved itself. Many thanks.

Xavier-D 11,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-29T00:45:38.17+00:00

Hi K Harris

I'm glad to hear that the issue has been resolved

Have a nice day

Answer 2

K Harris 20

Hi Xavier, the laptop spreadsheet does not display Merge Conflict, it gets stuck on 'Excel is uploading your most recent changes. This will take a moment. If you'd rather not wait you can close the file now and we'll upload them the next time you open.' It may close eventually, but the changes do not merge.

I have re-saved as an updated copy - it appears the OneDrive path has changed. Why would this happen automatically on either OneDrive or the Mac? Is there something I can do to prevent that?

Xavier-D 11,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-25T00:52:43.1866667+00:00
Hi K Harris

Thank you for clarifying.

On macOS 12.1 and later, the OneDrive Files On-Demand system automatically places the OneDrive folder under Library > CloudStorage > OneDrive.

An alias may remain in the previous location, so Excel’s Recent list or an older shortcut can sometimes open a file through the outdated path. This can interfere with AutoSave and leave Excel repeatedly trying to upload changes.

The system-managed path itself cannot be prevented from changing, but you can avoid the issue by:

Remove the affected workbook from Excel’s Recent list.

In Excel, select File > Open, choose your OneDrive account, and open the workbook from its current location.

For the updated copy, select File > Save As and save it directly to the current OneDrive location under Library > CloudStorage > OneDrive.

Confirm that the file appears correctly on OneDrive online before deleting or replacing either copy.

Please avoid continuing to open the older copy or shortcut, as this may cause Excel to work with a separate local version. If the same behavior continues after all workbooks are reopened from the current path, resetting or unlinking and relinking OneDrive would be the next step.

I hope this helps prevent the workbook from becoming disconnected from its cloud copy again.
Xavier-D 11,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-27T23:52:16.0333333+00:00

Hi

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.