How to Update Excel: Stay Up-To-Date to Keep Those Spreadsheets Working

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Easily get the latest version of Excel
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This wikiHow guide teaches you how to check for updates in Microsoft Excel on a Windows or Mac computer. If updates are available, Excel will download and install them as needed. Keep in mind that Excel, like most Microsoft Office products, will usually update itself automatically. If your version of Excel doesn’t have an update button, you might have a volume license install or your company is managing Office updates.

Updating Excel on Windows or Mac

  1. Open Excel on a desktop computer.
  2. On Windows, navigate to File → Account → Update Options → Update Now.
  3. On macOS, go to Help → Check for Updates.
  4. Check Automatically Download and Install then click Check for Updates.
Section 1 of 3:

On Windows

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  1. Step 1 Open Excel.
    Click or double-click the Excel app icon, which resembles a green box with a white "X" on it. This will open the Excel launch page.
    • If you already had Excel open, make sure you save your work by pressing Ctrl+S.[1] You can then skip the next step.
  2. Step 2 Click Blank document.
    It's in the upper-left side of the launch page.
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  3. Step 3 Click File.
    This option is in the top-left corner of the Excel window. Doing so brings up a menu on the left side of the window.[2]
  4. Step 4 Click Account.
    You'll find this in the left-hand column of options.[3]
  5. Step 5 Click Update Options.
    It's in the middle of the window. Clicking it prompts a pop-up menu.[4]
  6. Step 6 Click Update Now.
    This option is in the pop-up menu.[5]
    • If you don't see this option, first click Enable Updates in the pop-up menu. You should then be able to find the Update Now option in the pop-up menu.[6]
  7. Step 7 Allow the updates to install.
    This may involve following some on-screen instructions or prompts (e.g., closing Excel). Once the updates finish installing, the update window will close and Excel will re-open.
    • If no updates are available, you won't see an update progress window appear.
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Section 2 of 3:

On a Mac

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  1. Step 1 Open Excel.
    Click or double-click the Excel app icon, which resembles a green box with a white "X" on it.
    • If you already had Excel open, make sure you save your work by pressing ⌘ Command+S before proceeding.
    • Note: If you downloaded Office/Excel from the Mac App Store and have automatic app updates enabled, they’ll update automatically. You can manually update by opening the Mac App Store, going to the Updates section, and clicking “Update” next to Excel.[7]
  2. Step 2 Click the Help menu item.
    It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.[8]
  3. Step 3 Click Check for Updates.
    This option is in the Help drop-down menu. Clicking it opens the update window.[9]
  4. Step 4 Check the "Automatically Download and Install" box.
    It's in the middle of the update window.[10]
  5. Step 5 Click Check for Updates.
    This blue button is in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  6. Step 6 Allow the updates to install.
    This may involve following some on-screen instructions or prompts (e.g., closing Excel). Once the updates finish installing, the update window will close and Excel will re-open.
    • If no updates are available, you won't see an update progress window appear.
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Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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  1. Step 1 If there isn’t an Update Options button, you might not have a version of Excel you can update manually.
    You might have a volume license install or your company is managing Office updates.
    • You can try turning on automatic updates to update Office with Microsoft Update. Navigate to Settings > Update and security > Advanced options > Choose how updates are installed.[11]
    • Then, click the checkbox for “Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows.”
    • Check out our guide on updating Windows for more info.
  2. Step 2 If your Mac App Store version of Excel isn’t updating automatically, turn on automatic updates.
    Follow these steps to get this feature up and running:[12]
    • Open the App Store. It’s the blue “A” icon.
    • Go to “App Store” in the menu bar.
    • Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
    • Select “Automatic Updates” in the preferences menu.
    • For more ways to install updates, see our guide on checking for updates on a Mac.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I get data analysis on excel?
    Kyle Smith
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    Load and activate the Analysis ToolPak in Excel Add-ins. This will give you access to anova, descriptive stats, f-test, and more!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Updating Excel can prompt the rest of your Office 365 programs to update as well if you have automatic updates (the default setting) enabled for them.
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Warnings

  • Excel will usually close during the update process, so it's important to save your work before updating. If you don't save your work, you'll be asked if you want to recover the most recent saved version of your work the next time you open Excel.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-your-workbook-92e4aae0-452d-497f-a470-570610ff720a
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5
  3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5
  4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5
  5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5
  6. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5
  7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-office-for-mac-automatically-bfd1e497-c24d-4754-92ab-910a4074d7c1
  8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-office-for-mac-automatically-bfd1e497-c24d-4754-92ab-910a4074d7c1
  9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-office-for-mac-automatically-bfd1e497-c24d-4754-92ab-910a4074d7c1
  1. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/check-for-office-for-mac-updates-automatically-bfd1e497-c24d-4754-92ab-910a4074d7c1
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-office-with-microsoft-update-f59d3f9d-bd5d-4d3b-a08e-1dd659cf5282
  3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-office-for-mac-automatically-bfd1e497-c24d-4754-92ab-910a4074d7c1

About This Article

Kyle Smith
Written by:
Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith. Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been viewed 226,104 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: October 23, 2024
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Categories: Microsoft Excel
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