10 Easy Ways to Open Excel in Safe Mode

As an Excel user, you may have encountered situations where the application crashes, workbooks refuse to open, or add-ins misbehave. When faced with these frustrating issues, Excel’s safe mode comes to the rescue.

Safe mode allows you to troubleshoot problems by starting Excel with the bare minimum add-ins and default settings This isolates any conflicts and helps you identify what’s causing the disruptions

In this post, I’ll explain what Excel safe mode is and walk through 10 seamless methods to open Excel in safe mode on your Windows PC. Whether you’re an expert or casual user, these easy steps will empower you to leverage this handy troubleshooting feature.

What is Excel Safe Mode?

Safe mode is a diagnostics capability built into Excel for Windows When launched in safe mode, Excel disables certain features, add-ins, and customizations

This allows the application to start up with the least amount of processes running in the background. Excel only loads the essential default configurations.

Safe mode is handy for troubleshooting issues like:

• Excel crashing on launch
• Workbooks not opening
• Add-ins causing malfunctions
• Excel freezing or responding slowly

By stripping away complex add-ins and settings, safe mode isolates potential sources of problems. You can then identify conflicts and fix corrupted files, preferences, or problematic add-ins.

How Safe Mode Changes Excel’s Behavior

When running in safe mode, Excel does not load:

• Third-party add-ins
• Custom ribbons and toolbars
• Excel add-ins like Analysis ToolPak
• AutoCorrect entries
• Custom lists for AutoFill
• Preferences and personalization

Additionally, Excel safe mode imposes the following limitations:

• Most settings in Excel Options are greyed out
• You cannot save template files
• Some program features will be disabled
• Workbooks with restricted permission cannot open

Despite these restrictions, Excel’s core functions work normally, allowing you to open, edit, and save workbooks.

Method 1: Use the CTRL Key Shortcut

The fastest way to open Excel in safe mode is using the CTRL key method:

1. Press and hold the CTRL key on your keyboard.

2. Double click the Excel shortcut icon on your desktop or taskbar.

3. When the prompt appears, release CTRL and click Yes.

This will immediately launch a new Excel window in safe mode. The process works the same way if you use it on an Excel file shortcut.

Method 2: Use the Start Menu Search

You can also open Excel in safe mode through the Windows Start menu:

1. Click the Windows icon or search field on the taskbar.

2. Type “excel.exe /safe” without quotes.

3. Press Enter to launch Excel in safe mode.

Method 3: Use the Run Command

The Run dialog box provides another quick option:

1. Press Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type “excel /safe” and click OK or press Enter.

Method 4: Use the Command Prompt

Power users can launch Excel’s safe mode from the Command Prompt:

1. Search for “Command Prompt” and open as admin.

2. Navigate to Excel’s installation folder, usually C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficerootOffice16.

3. Type “excel.exe /safe” and press Enter.

Method 5: Use Windows PowerShell

Similarly, you can use PowerShell to open Excel in safe mode:

1. Right-click Start and choose Windows PowerShell.

2. Paste this command:

   Start-Process excel -ArgumentList “/safemode”

3. Press Enter to run.

Method 6: Use Task Manager

If Excel is stuck open, use Task Manager to force close it and relaunch in safe mode:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Find and right click on excel.exe process. Select End Task.

3. Go to File > Run New Task.

4. Type “excel /safe” and click OK.

Method 7: Create a Desktop Shortcut

For quick access, make a custom Excel safe mode shortcut:

1. Right click Excel shortcut > Copy.

2. Right click desktop > Paste Shortcut.

3. Right click the pasted shortcut > Properties.

4. In Target field, add “/safe” to the end. Click OK.

Method 8: Use a Batch File

You can create a .bat file to open Excel in safe mode:

1. Make a new text file on your desktop.

2. Paste this inside:

   @echo off
   “C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficerootOffice16EXCEL.EXE” /safe

3. Save the file as open_excel_safe_mode.bat.

4. Double click the .bat file whenever you want to launch Excel in safe mode.

Method 9: Use Registry Editor

You can create a registry key to always start Excel in safe mode:

1. Type “regedit” into the Start menu and click the Registry Editor app.

2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice16.0ExcelResiliency.

3. Right click and create a new DWORD named SafeMode.

4. Double click SafeMode and set the Value data to 1.

5. Restart Excel, which will now always start in safe mode.

6. Return here and set Value data to 0 to revert.

Method 10: Use a VBA Macro

You can program a VBA macro to open Excel in safe mode:

1. Open the VBA editor in your Excel workbook.

2. Insert a new module and paste this code:

Sub OpenExcelSafeMode()   Application.Quit   Shell "excel.exe /safe"End Sub

1. Run the macro whenever you want to relaunch Excel in safe mode.

When Should You Use Excel Safe Mode?

Here are common situations when leveraging Excel’s safe mode could help resolve issues:

• Excel crashes or freezes upon launching
• Certain workbooks won’t open
• Add-ins are causing malfunctions
• Excel is slow and unresponsive
• You suspect a corrupted file or preference
• Need to diagnose problems after a Windows update
• Testing whether an add-in or file is causing conflicts
• Troubleshooting Excel after a repair install

Safe mode lets you isolate the source of these problems. Once disabled in safe mode, you can then selectively re-enable components one by one until hitting the problematic area.

How to Turn Off Excel Safe Mode

Once you’ve finished troubleshooting in safe mode, you’ll want to get back to normal Excel with full functionality. Here’s how to deactivate safe mode:

• Simply close Excel completely using the Close (X) button
• Reopen Excel normally by double-clicking the shortcut icon
• Excel will launch with all add-ins, settings, and customizations enabled again

The registry and desktop shortcut methods will keep opening Excel in safe mode until you revert those changes manually.

Get More Out of Excel Safe Mode

As you can see, getting Excel into safe mode is quick and easy using the various methods covered.

Leverage this built-in diagnostics feature to swiftly troubleshoot crashes, conflicts, and other Excel problems. Isolate the source of instability in your Excel application or files.