How to Update Excel

This updated guide examines How to Update Excel and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1

On Windows

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 pressingCtrl+S. You can then skip the next step.
2. ClickBlank document. It's in the upper-left side of the launch page.
3. ClickFile. 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.
4. ClickAccount. You'll find this in the left-hand column of options.
5. ClickUpdate Options. It's in the middle of the window. Clicking it prompts a pop-up menu.
6. ClickUpdate Now. This option is in the pop-up menu.
   • 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.^[1]
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.

Method 2

On Mac

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+Sbefore proceeding.
2. Click theHelpmenu item. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
3. ClickCheck for Updates. This option is in the Help drop-down menu. Clicking it opens the update window.
4. Check the "Automatically Download and Install" box. It's in the middle of the update window.^[2]
5. ClickCheck for Updates. This blue button is in the bottom-right corner of the window.
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.