Table of Contents
Where Can we find how to Open Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode? One of the most versatile spreadsheet programmes available, Microsoft Excel is utilised by millions of people all over the world. Excel, on the other hand, may occasionally experience problems, such as crashing or opening incorrectly depending on the circumstances. In circumstances like these, opening a safe Excel file might be a valuable step in the debugging process. There may have been some difficulties encountered while attempting to open an Excel file at points in time.
This may occur for add-ins that have just been installed or for other problems that you may not be able to resolve. At this time, you are able to enter the safe mode when opening your Excel file. Excel can be launched in safe mode, which enables you to run the programme with restricted functionality and without any add-ins. This can be helpful in identifying and fixing issues. In the following paragraphs, we will learn about three simple ways how to Open Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode, as well as explore the advantages and disadvantages of using this mode.
What is Safe Mode in Excel?
Excel safe mode is a startup procedure that opens spreadsheets in a format that is more straightforward than the default approach. Excel will only access the files and drivers that are absolutely necessary when it is opened thanks to this feature. Safe mode allows you to bypass startup programmes like as add-ins, extensions, alternate launch locations, and customised toolbars.
This is possible when you open the programme in safe mode. In addition to this, it is able to circumvent the XLstart folder, which is created automatically once Excel is downloaded and stores the folders for workbooks that are typically opened when Excel is opened.
How to Open Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode
Using the Ctrl key

- Locate your Excel shortcut on your desktop or taskbar.
- Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
- While holding Ctrl, double-click the Excel shortcut.
- A message will pop up asking if you want to start Excel in Safe Mode. Click Yes.
Using the Run window
- Press the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard to open the Run window.
- In the Open field, type excel /safe and press Enter or click OK.
- Excel will open in Safe Mode.
From within Excel (if already open)
- Click the File tab.
- Click Options.
- Click Add-Ins.
- On the Manage menu, select COM Add-Ins and click Go.
- Uncheck any add-ins you suspect might be causing problems.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the window.
- Click File again and select Exit.
- Now, open Excel again using any of the methods mentioned above.
Why Use Safe Mode in Microsoft Excel?
- Troubleshooting Add-ins: Safe Mode disables Excel add-ins, which are additional features or tools that can sometimes cause conflicts or issues. By entering Safe Mode, you can determine if a problem is related to an add-in.
- Isolating Startup Issues: If Excel encounters problems during startup, entering Safe Mode can help isolate the issue. This allows you to open Excel with minimal features and identify what might be causing the startup problem.
- Fixing Errors and Crashes: Safe Mode can be used to open Excel with default settings, helping you identify and fix errors or crashes that may occur due to customization or corrupted settings.
- Testing Compatibility: If you suspect that certain features or settings are causing compatibility issues, Safe Mode allows you to open Excel with basic functionality, helping you identify and address compatibility problems.
- Diagnostic Purposes: Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool that helps you identify the root cause of Excel-related issues. By eliminating unnecessary features and add-ins, you can narrow down the source of problems and find solutions more effectively.
Benefits of Using Safe Mode in Excel
- Isolating Add-In Problems: All Excel add-ins are turned off in Safe Mode, which lets you find any third-party add-ins that are causing issues. If Excel works fine in Safe Mode, you can then turn on add-ins one by one to find the one that’s causing the problem.
- Stopping Workbook or Add-In Loading Automatically: When Excel starts up in Safe Mode, it doesn’t load any worksheets or add-ins automatically. This can help if you don’t want certain files or add-ins to load immediately, especially if they are giving you trouble.
- Clean Start-Up Environment: When Excel is in Safe Mode, it starts up with the usual settings and configurations. When trying to fix problems that might be caused by personalised settings or configurations that are causing conflicts, this clean startup situation can be helpful.
- Recovering Lost Work: If Excel crashes without warning, it may offer to recover lost work when you start it up again in Safe Mode. If you accidentally close the programme, this function can help you get your data back.
- Updating or Turning Off Add-Ins That Are Giving You Trouble: Safe Mode makes it easy to handle Excel add-ins. This mode lets you update or turn off add-ins that are giving you trouble, so when you run Excel in normal mode, it will run more smoothly and reliably.
Questions and Answers
In Windows, right-click the Start button in the bottom left area and choose Run. You can also press the Windows logo key and the R key at the same time. Type one of the following into the Run box: To use Excel: Click OK after typing “excel /safe.”
Your Microsoft Office software could be broken if your Excel file still won’t open. This generally happens when a virus, a third-party programme, or a system error changes the core files of an Office app. That can be fixed on your Windows computer with Office’s built-in repair tool. Start up your PC and go to the Control Panel.
There are six main reasons why Excel files get too big: PICTURES: If your worksheet has a lot of pictures or pictures that are very big. TOO MUCH FORMATTING: There are millions of cells that can be in an Excel sheet, and if you style them even when they don’t have any data in them, the file size can be very large.