This wikiHow teaches you how to check for Microsoft Excel updates on a Windows or Mac computer. If an update is available, Excel will download and install the update as needed. Keep in mind that as with other Microsoft Office products, Excel will usually update the program itself automatically.
Step
Method 1 of 2: On Windows Computer
Step 1. Open Excel
Click or double-click the Excel program icon, which looks like a green box with a white “X” on it. The Excel welcome/launch page will be displayed.
If you already have Excel open, make sure you save your work by pressing the shortcut Ctrl+S. After that, you can move on to the next step
Step 2. Click Blank document
It's in the top-left corner of the startup/launcher page.
Step 3. Click File
It's in the upper-left corner of the Excel window. After that, a menu will appear on the left side of the window.
Step 4. Click Accounts
This option is in the left options column.
Step 5. Click Update Options
It's in the middle of the window. Once clicked, a pop-up menu will appear.
Step 6. Click Update Now
It's in the pop-up menu.
If you don't see the option, click on the “ Enable Updates ” on the pop-up menu first. After that, you can find the option “ Update Now ” in the pop-up menu.
Step 7. Allow the update to install
You may need to follow some on-screen instructions or prompts (eg close Excel). Once the update is installed, the update window will close and Excel will reopen.
If an update is not available, you will not see the update progress window
Method 2 of 2: On Mac Computer
Step 1. Open Excel
Click or double-click the Excel program icon, which looks like a green box with a white “X” on it.
If you already have Excel open, make sure you save your work by pressing the shortcut Command+S before continuing
Step 2. Click the Help menu option
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 3. Click Check for Updates
This option is in the drop-down menu “ Help Once clicked, an update window will open.
Step 4. Check the box " Automatically Download and Install"
It's in the middle of the update window.
Step 5. Click Check for Updates
It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 6. Allow the update to install
You may need to follow some on-screen instructions or prompts (eg close Excel). Once the update is installed, the update window will close and Excel will reopen.
