How to Reset Excel to Default Settings

Microsoft Excel is a powerful and highly customizable application. Over time, however, frequent use, add-ins, custom settings, macros, and personalization can cause Excel to behave unexpectedly. You may notice issues such as formatting problems, missing menus, slow performance, unusual error messages, or features not working as expected. In many cases, these problems are the result of altered settings rather than corruption or installation issues.

Resetting Excel to its default settings can often resolve these problems quickly and effectively. This process restores Excel’s original configuration, helping you start with a clean slate while preserving your core installation. In this article, you will learn what resetting Excel means, when it is necessary, and how to safely reset Excel to its default settings using different methods on Windows and macOS.

Understanding What “Resetting Excel” Means

Before proceeding, it is important to understand what resetting Excel actually does—and what it does not do.

When you reset Excel to default settings, Excel:

• Reverts user-defined options (such as display, calculation, and editing preferences)
• Removes custom toolbar and Ribbon configurations
• Disables or removes problematic add-ins
• Resets registry-based settings (on Windows)
• Recreates configuration files and preference files

However, resetting Excel does not:

• Delete your Excel files or workbooks
• Remove Microsoft Office entirely
• Uninstall Excel
• Automatically remove macros stored in personal macro workbooks (unless you delete them)

This distinction is important because resetting Excel is generally safe and does not affect your data.

When You Should Reset Excel to Default Settings

Resetting Excel is not something you need to do regularly. It is most useful when troubleshooting persistent issues. Common scenarios include:

• Excel crashes on startup or freezes frequently
• Menus, ribbons, or toolbars are missing or unresponsive
• Default fonts, colors, or formatting behave inconsistently
• Add-ins cause repeated errors
• Calculation or formula behavior seems incorrect
• Excel opens files very slowly
• Customizations interfere with standard workflows

If basic troubleshooting—such as restarting Excel or updating Office—does not resolve the problem, resetting Excel is often the next logical step.

Step 1: Back Up Important Excel Settings and Files

Although resetting Excel does not normally delete files, it is good practice to back up key items before proceeding.

You may want to back up:

• Important workbooks
• Personal Macro Workbook (PERSONAL.XLSB)
• Custom templates (.xltx or .xltm files)
• Custom add-ins (.xlam files)

Backing up these files ensures you can restore any critical customizations later if needed.

Method 1: Reset Excel by Using Built-in Options (Partial Reset)

Excel does not include a single “Reset to Default” button. However, you can manually reset many settings from within Excel itself.

Reset Excel Options

1. Open Excel.
2. Click File → Options.
3. Review each category (General, Formulas, Proofing, Save, Advanced, etc.).
4. Manually restore settings to their default values.

This method works well for:

• Display issues
• Editing behavior problems
• Calculation settings

However, it does not reset Ribbon customizations, add-ins, or deeper configuration issues.

Method 2: Reset Excel Ribbon and Toolbar Customizations

If Excel’s Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar behaves unexpectedly, resetting these elements can help.

Steps to Reset the Ribbon

1. Open Excel.
2. Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon.
3. Click Reset.
4. Choose Reset all customizations.
5. Confirm the action.

This will:

• Remove custom tabs
• Restore default Ribbon layout
• Reset toolbar shortcuts

Note that any custom Ribbon modifications will be permanently removed.

Method 3: Start Excel in Safe Mode

Safe Mode allows Excel to start without add-ins or custom settings. While this does not permanently reset Excel, it helps identify whether customizations are the cause of problems.

How to Start Excel in Safe Mode

• Hold down the Ctrl key while launching Excel or
• Press Windows + R, type:

excel /safe

and press Enter

If Excel works normally in Safe Mode, the issue is likely related to add-ins or custom settings. You can then disable add-ins selectively before performing a full reset.

Method 4: Disable or Remove Excel Add-ins

Add-ins are one of the most common causes of Excel instability.

Steps to Disable Add-ins

1. Open Excel.
2. Go to File → Options → Add-ins.
3. At the bottom, select COM Add-ins or Excel Add-ins and click Go.
4. Uncheck all add-ins.
5. Restart Excel.

If Excel works correctly afterward, re-enable add-ins one at a time to identify the problematic one.

Disabling add-ins is often sufficient and may eliminate the need for a full reset.

Method 5: Reset Excel by Renaming Registry Keys (Windows)

For a complete reset on Windows, Excel’s settings stored in the Windows Registry can be reset. This method is highly effective but should be performed carefully.

Important Warning

Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause system problems. Always proceed cautiously.

Steps to Reset Excel Registry Settings

1. Close Excel completely.
2. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
3. Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office

4. Locate the folder corresponding to your Excel version (for example, 16.0 for Microsoft 365).
5. Right-click the Excel folder.
6. Choose Rename.
7. Rename it to something like:

Excel_old

8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Restart Excel.

Excel will recreate the registry keys with default settings.

This method resets:

• All Excel options
• UI customizations
• Startup behavior

Method 6: Reset Excel Preferences on macOS

On macOS, Excel settings are stored in preference files rather than the Windows Registry.

Steps to Reset Excel on macOS

1. Close Excel.
2. Open Finder.
3. Click Go → Go to Folder.
4. Enter:

~/Library/Preferences/

5. Locate files beginning with:

com.microsoft.Excel

6. Move these files to the Trash (or another folder for backup).
7. Restart Excel.

Excel will generate new preference files using default settings.

Method 7: Remove Excel Startup Files

Excel automatically loads files from specific startup locations. Corrupt startup files can cause repeated issues.

Common Startup Locations

• Windows:

  C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

• macOS:

  ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Excel

Remove or temporarily relocate files in these folders and restart Excel to test.

Method 8: Repair Microsoft Office (Advanced Reset)

If resetting Excel settings does not solve the problem, repairing Microsoft Office may be necessary.

Steps on Windows

1. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features.
2. Select Microsoft Office.
3. Click Change.
4. Choose Quick Repair or Online Repair.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

This process restores Excel and other Office apps to a stable state without removing files.

What Happens After Resetting Excel

After resetting Excel to default settings, you may notice:

• Default fonts and colors restored
• Standard Ribbon layout returned
• Improved performance and stability
• Missing customizations (which can be recreated if needed)

You may need to:

• Re-enable trusted add-ins
• Restore templates
• Adjust preferred settings again

This is normal and expected.

Best Practices to Avoid Future Issues

To reduce the need for resetting Excel in the future:

• Install add-ins only from trusted sources
• Keep Excel and Office updated
• Avoid excessive customizations unless necessary
• Back up important templates and macros
• Periodically review startup files

Maintaining a clean Excel environment improves performance and reliability over time.

Conclusion

Resetting Excel to default settings is a powerful troubleshooting technique that can resolve a wide range of issues, from performance slowdowns to UI problems and persistent errors. While Excel does not provide a single-click reset option, the methods outlined in this guide—ranging from resetting options and add-ins to registry and preference file resets—offer flexible solutions for both Windows and macOS users.

By understanding when and how to reset Excel safely, you can restore stability without reinstalling the application or risking your data. Whether you are a beginner encountering unexpected behavior or an advanced user troubleshooting complex issues, resetting Excel is a valuable skill that keeps your workflow efficient and frustration-free.