How to Fix Excel File Open But Not Visible on Mac

Microsoft Excel users may experience a blank screen when opening an Excel file, with no data visible, instead displaying a whole white or grey screen. This issue can be resolved by trying the following: checking for corrupted files, using the "Open and Repair" feature, and checking for any add-ins or plugins that may be interfering with the program's functionality. If the problem persists, users can also try reinstalling Excel or seeking assistance from Microsoft support.

If you're facing the issue of invisible Excel files, this post is for you. We'll explain why your Excel files are invisible and provide possible solutions to try one by one.

Part 1. What Causes This Issue? 

Failing to open an Excel file on a Mac can be caused by various reasons, including issues with the program itself, data corruption, or an official update. The problem may stem from the Excel program, resulting in the file not opening or being visible, or it could be due to corrupted data or a recent update that has caused the issue.

• Excel File Corruption

If a file isn't showing any data when opened, it's likely due to damage. If you have a backup with the corrupted file, retrieve it from there. If not, consider using a data recovery tool to recover lost files on your Mac.

• Preferences Issue

One of the most common Microsoft issues on Mac occurs due to corrupted Preferences, which can be resolved by repairing them.

• Problematic Program Settings

Some background programs can interfere with Excel, causing issues when opening Excel files. Additionally, if you've changed the default application to open Excel files, you may still encounter problems viewing the data.

Part 2. What to do to Fix Excel Files Open but Not Visible on Mac?

If you're unable to see your Excel data, it's not necessarily a sign that your files are gone. Instead, there are likely some issues that need to be addressed. Fortunately, there are ways to help you open these files in a healthy state. You can try various methods to get your Excel files back to normal.

1. Repair Excel File in 3 Steps

If your Excel file is damaged, you'll need professional Mac data recovery software to help you recover it. Deep Data Recovery for Mac can assist with various Excel problems, including accidental deletion, system crashes, hard drive formatting, or storage device corruption, and help you get back on track.

Now download Deep Data Recovery for Mac and follow the steps below to repair your Excel files.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Launch Deep Data Recovery, select the desired file types, and click "Next" to initiate the recovery process.

Step 2. To recover lost Excel files, go to the location where the files were stored, select it, and click the Scan button to begin the recovery process.

Step 3. Deep Data Recovery for Mac starts a quick scan and a deep scan on the selected disk volume, displaying the scanning results in the left pane.

Step 4. By Path and Type, you can quickly filter the lost Excel files. Select the target files and click "Recover Now" to get them back at once.

2. Fix the Damaged Excel Preferences on Mac

To resolve the issue of an Excel file being open but not visible on a Mac, follow these steps: Check if Excel is running in the background, and if so, close it. Then, restart the Excel application. If the issue persists, try restarting your Mac.

Step 1. Close all programs on your Mac.

Step 2. To access the Library folder, click Start > Library on the Go menu, or if you have OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later, hold down the option key and choose Library from the Go menu.

Step 3. Open the Preferences folder, and then drag com.microsoft.Excel.plist to the desktop. If the file is not found, proceed with the next step.

Step 4. Open the Microsoft folder in Preferences, and drag com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist to the desktop.

Step 5. If you're experiencing an error in Microsoft Excel that's caused by a corrupted file, try closing the app, moving one of the files back to its original location, and restarting Excel. If the error persists, it means the moved file is corrupt, so delete it and the remaining file on your desktop to resolve the issue.

If Excel still doesn't work after launching it, restore the files to their original location and then follow these steps:

Step 1. Close all programs on your Mac.

Step 2. To access the Preferences folder, click on the Home button and select Library from the "On the Go" menu. This will allow you to open the Preferences folder.

Step 3. To find the normal.dotm file, go to Select Application > Microsoft > Office > User Templates, search for the file, and then drag it to the desktop.

Step 4. If you're experiencing issues with Excel, try relaunching it. If the problem persists after relaunching, you may need to reinstall Excel or seek further assistance.

3. Reset Excel File Associations

If the Excel Preferences are not corrupted, you can try resetting Excel file associations to the default settings, which may resolve the issue.

Step 1. Find the Excel file you want to open.

Step 2. To open a file, right-click on it and select "Open With" from the menu. This will display a list of all the apps that can open the file type, allowing you to choose the desired application.

Step 3. To ensure that the default application for opening Excel files is set to Excel, you can choose it as the default application and then reopen your Excel files to verify the setting.

The Bottom Line

Deep Data Recovery for Mac can help recover lost files, including Excel files, but it's also essential to take regular backups to ensure you can recover your files in case of any data loss.

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