Thread: MS Excel - suddenly I can't run my macros - didn't do nuffink.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Brett, it is not just Windows where Excel struggles, but on my MacBook Pro (2019) as well. It cannot be a lack of RAM as I have 16Gb, and I certainly do not have a slow processor or SSD (top of the range on both accounts).

I was using Office 2011 until two years ago, when it no longer ran under the (then) latest OS (Mojave). I upgraded to Office 2016. No problems with Word or PowerPoint, but Excel would hang after two days (refused to save or close a file quickly ... the wheel would turn and turn for about 30 seconds). Only a complete reboot would get it running. (I use Excel for patient account records, invoices, receipts, and appointment notes, so re-booting loses time).

I now have Office 2019, and it is better behaved ... except Excel still hangs, but at least it will re-run after closing and re-opening Excel (rather than the computer). Word now no longer opens to a "full" screen (that is, up against the title bar, which I do not want to omit).

I would go to something else, like OpenOffice, if it had the ability to add Notes in the Excel-like substitute (this is where I write notes about the appointments).

Anyone help with opening Word (other than widening the screen and saving files individually)? Or curing Excel's habit of hanging after 2 days?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek,

It can be RAM - just because your machine has plenty does not mean specific apps can use it all. If the app is 32bit it won't be able to use more than 4Gb

However I think I read that Apple have dropped formal 32bit support from Mohave, and that MIGHT be your problem.

Did Office give you the option of installing 32bit vs 64bit? (Sorry, I have not used Mac for a long time so have not seen a recent MS installation on Mac) If so, you should ensure you are using the 64bit version. (You can open the media that the install files are on & check the top levels of folders - you may see a file called Setup32 and another called Setup64 - if so run teh Setup64 or equivalent)

When I last used a Mac, I wrote a little AppleScript that opened certain programs in full screen by default - that might be an option.

Also had a quick squiz on Google & this might work for you
How to Make Apps Open in Full Screen Mode on Mac Automatically

Hi Ross

I am still running Mojave, second latest OS, which is 64 bit but supports 32 bit. The latest OS, Catalina, will only support 64 bit, which is why I (and many others) have yet to upgrade as some of the apps we need will not run under it. Office is 64 bit and I very much doubt that there is an issue here.

RAM seems to me to be the offending area, with Excel looking like it gets hungrier and hungrier the longer it is open, even if the files open are not demanding of much. I would say that there is an incompatibility between Excel and Mojave. This did not happen with High Sierra, which can before.

With 2016, Excel would spin its wheel, which indicated that it had ran out of ram. A complete re-boot is needed. With 2019, it send out a message saying that the file is corrupt and cannot be opened. After closing and re-opening Excel, all works fine.

Regards from Perth

Derek