When working with Excel, encountering errors or issues can be annoying. These problems can ruin your working experience & result in data loss. However, there is an excellent way that can assist you in overcoming such challenges: running Excel in safe mode. In this post, I will show you how to open Excel in safe mode in a step-by-step process.
Also, I will discuss how to repair corrupt Excel file with the help of a versatile Excel Repair Tool.
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Read further for more info…
Quick Navigation:
- Part 1- What Does Safe Mode in Excel Mean?
- Part 2- What Is the Advantage of Opening Excel in Safe Mode?
- Part 3- How to Open Excel in a Safe Mode Windows 11/10?
- Part 4- How to Always Open MS Excel in a Safe Mode?
- Part 5- How to Exit Microsoft Excel from Safe Mode?
- Part 6- What Are the Limitations of Running Excel in A Safe Mode?
- Part 7- What If Safe Mode Can’t Fix Excel Crashing or Not Opening Issue?
What Does Safe Mode in Excel Mean?
In MS Excel, safe mode is an advanced troubleshooting feature that allows you to start the program (Excel) with a minimal set of functionalities.
In simple words, we can say, it is designed to identify & fix the issues that may be preventing the Excel from working properly. However, when you open Excel in a safe mode, it bypasses certain settings & add-ins that may be triggering issues.
What Is the Advantage of Opening Excel in Safe Mode?
Excel crashing and not opening is a common issue that is often encountered by users. In such type of situations, running the Excel application in Safe Mode can help you to diagnose and solve the problem. Also, it improves the application performance to accomplish various tasks like calculations, and data analysis more proficiently.
How to Open Excel in Safe Mode Windows 11/10?
Let’s find out three effective methods on how to open Excel file in safe mode and solve Excel errors and issues effortlessly.
Method 1- Use a Keyboard Shortcut
There are numerous ways that can be used to open Excel in safe mode. But I would like to recommend you use shortcut key (CTRL) to do so.
Here is what you have to do:
1- Locate the Excel file that you wish to open in a Safe Mode.
2- Then, hold down a Ctrl key & double-click on the file. Note-Don’t left the Ctrl key until a confirmation window opens in the background.
3- Now, choose Yes option in a confirmation window.
Step 4- After that, your file will be automatically opened in a Safe Mode. You’ll know the Excel file has launched in the Safe Mode from a title bar.
Method 2- How to Open Excel in Safe Mode Via Command Line?
Another option that you can try to run Excel file in safe mode is to load its .exe file from a Windows command line.
Here are the easy steps to be followed to run Excel in Safe Mode via the command line:
- Ensure Excel isn’t running.
- Next, press Windows + R keys together to open Run dialog box. Alternatively, go to Search icon & type “run” there. select Run application from the suggestions.
- In a Run dialog box, type in “excel /safe“.
- At this time, click on the OK button. This will open the Excel in a Safe Mode.
Please Note: This technique will not work if any of the MS Excel files are previously open.
How to Always Open MS Excel in a Safe Mode?
While working on Excel, it is quite common to encounter Excel not responding or crashing issues. Thus, if you are also running Excel program with unresolved issues, it’s recommended to always start the Excel in a Safe mode.
All you need to do is to follow the below instructions for how to open Excel file in safe mode or always open Excel in the Safe Mode:
1- Create the shortcut for an Excel program.
2- Next, right-click on a shortcut & choose Properties option from a context menu.
3- Under Shortcut tab, you have to add ” /safe” text to a file path.
Note– Ensure to add the space before the slash of the safe word.
4- Finally, you will have to click on the OK button to complete the process.
Further, when you use this shortcut, a new Excel workbook will directly open in a Safe Mode.
How to Exit Microsoft Excel from Safe Mode?
If you’ve solved your issue by opening Excel in a safe mode, now you can exit from Safe mode. Well, it is very easy to do so, for this, simply close the MS Excel application.
You must close all opened Excel files because if a single Excel file is opened in a safe mode, then this mode will not be exited.
Also Read: How to Disable & Remove Hyperlinks in Excel?
What Are the Limitations of Running Excel in A Safe Mode?
Although running an Excel in a Safe Mode assists to troubleshoot issues in general, but it also disables some advanced features & settings, like add-ons, advanced formatting options, macros, and custom toolbars.
Here’re some of the limitations of running Excel in a Safe Mode:
- When running Excel in a safe mode, automatic updates are typically restricted
- This mode disables some functionalities including add-ins & extensions.
- Opening the Excel in a safe mode can sometimes result in reduced performance of the application.
- Recovered XLS or XLSX spreadsheet cannot be accessed automatically.
- The AutoCorrect list will not load.
What If Safe Mode Can’t Fix Excel Crashing or Not Opening Issue?
Most of the time, running Excel in a safe mode can’t fix crashing, not responding, or not opening issues due to severe Excel corruption. In such a situation, you must opt for an efficient Excel Repair Tool.
It can repair severely corrupted Excel (.XLS/.XLSX) files quickly and recover all its objects including charts, formulas, tables, etc.
The best part about this program is- you can even download the free trial version of this utility to preview the recoverable files.
Here is how you can use this feature-loaded Excel Recovery Tool:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Is the Purpose of Opening Excel in Safe Mode?
The purpose of opening Excel in safe mode is to diagnose and solve the current problems by disabling the add-ins & customizations that might be triggering issues with MS Excel's regular act.
What Should I Do If Excel Still Doesn't Work Properly in Safe Mode?
If Excel still doesn’t work properly in safe mode, then you should try other troubleshooting tips like, restart your Excel application, restart your device, or seek expert assistance.
How Do I Know If Excel Is in Safe Mode?
When you run Excel in safe mode, you will see ‘Safe Mode’ words in the Excel title bar. Apart from that, you will also notice that certain features & add-ins might be tuned OFF.
Is Safe Mode Available in All Versions of Excel?
Yes, the safe mode feature is available in all versions of Excel, including MS Office 365 & older versions.
Are There Any Limitations to Using Excel in Safe Mode?
Yes, there are certain limitations to using Excel in a safe mode, mentioned above in this post.
Can I Use Safe Mode to Recover Unsaved Work in Excel?
Yes, you can use safe mode to recover unsaved work or fix Excel files that might have become corrupted.
How Can I Exit Safe Mode in Excel?
To exit safe mode in MS Excel, close the program and then open it again as you usually do. Now, Excel will run in its regular mode.
Final Verdict
In this write-up, I have discussed three easy methods on how to open Excel in safe mode Windows 11/10 to solve Excel issues. Besides, I have also mentioned the alternative way- Excel Repair Tool to use if the safe mode can’t solve Excel problems and how to exit the safe mode.
I hope this tutorial guide has been useful & easy for you to follow.
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Priyanka Sahu
Priyanka is a content marketing expert. She writes tech blogs and has expertise in MS Office, Excel, and other tech subjects. Her distinctive art of presenting tech information in the easy-to-understand language is very impressive. When not writing, she loves unplanned travels.