I am unable to Make changes to my Excel spread sheets. I just had you help with Word

If you are unable to make changes to your Excel spreadsheets, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some possible causes and solutions:

1. Read-Only Document: If you see a message indicating that the document is read-only, it means you do not have permission to edit the file. Check if the file is shared with you and whether you have the necessary permissions to make changes.
2. Temporary File Issues: Excel creates a temporary file when saving changes. If there are interruptions during this process (like pressing the ESC key, hardware or software failures), it may prevent saving. Try saving the file to a different location to see if that resolves the issue.
3. File Format or Extension Issues: Ensure that the file format is compatible with Excel. If the file format or extension is not valid, Excel may not allow you to make changes.
4. Excel Installation Problems: If Excel is not properly installed, it might cause issues. Consider repairing your Office installation via the Control Panel.
5. Protected Sheets: If the sheet is protected, you will need to unprotect it to make changes. You may be prompted for a password if one was set.

If these suggestions do not resolve the issue, consider checking for updates or reinstalling Excel.

References:

• Troubleshoot why Excel doesn't save changes
• "An error occurred when sending commands to the program" in Excel

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

1. Could you please share the exact error message you receive when opening the Excel app or while editing the spreadsheet?
2. Do you see a message such as “Product Activation Failed” or “Read-only” when you try to make changes?