---
title: How Do I Open Excel Files on my Mac?
description: "By default, Mac opens Excel files in Numbers unless you’ve changed your settings.\nHere are 2 easy ways to open Excel files without changing your default app:"
---

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# How Do I Open Excel Files on my Mac?

## By default, Mac opens Excel files in Numbers unless you’ve changed your settings.

### Here are two easy ways to open Excel files without changing your default app:

#### **First option:**

➡️Open Excel.

➡️Go to File \> Open.

➡️Browse to the location of the file and select it.

 

#### **Second option - using your mouse or trackpad:**

➡️Right-click with your mouse or Control+click using the trackpad on the file.

➡️Select "Open With".

![Open With image](https://support.excelpreparation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExPrep%20Customer%20Success%20Team/Screenshots/Screenshot%202025-06-09%20at%2012.22.35%20PM.png?width=670&height=613&name=Screenshot%202025-06-09%20at%2012.22.35%20PM.png)

➡️Select Microsoft Excel.

 

![Select Microsoft Excel Image](https://support.excelpreparation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExPrep%20Customer%20Success%20Team/Screenshots/Screenshot%202025-06-09%20at%2012.25.10%20PM.png?width=670&height=354&name=Screenshot%202025-06-09%20at%2012.25.10%20PM.png)

 

➡️Microsoft Excel will open after selecting the application.

---

 

### **How to permanently update the app defaults for all files of a particular type**

➡️On your Mac, click on the File Finder in the Dock to open a Finder Window.

![Mac Finder Icon Image](https://support.excelpreparation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExPrep%20Customer%20Success%20Team/Screenshots/Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.15.08%20AM.png?width=670&height=330&name=Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.15.08%20AM.png)

➡️Select a file, then choose File \> Get Info.

> 💡You can also Control-click the file, then choose Get Info.

![Get Info Image](https://support.excelpreparation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExPrep%20Customer%20Success%20Team/Screenshots/Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.19.54%20AM.png?width=670&height=428&name=Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.19.54%20AM.png)

➡️In the Info Window, click \> next to "Open With".

![Open With Alternative Image](https://support.excelpreparation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExPrep%20Customer%20Success%20Team/Screenshots/Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.26.52%20AM.png?width=670&height=848&name=Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.26.52%20AM.png)

➡️From the drop-down option, select the application you wish to open Excel files.

![Applications Listed under Open With Image](https://support.excelpreparation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExPrep%20Customer%20Success%20Team/Screenshots/Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.29.44%20AM.png?width=670&height=919&name=Screenshot%202025-06-11%20at%2010.29.44%20AM.png)

---

⚠️Don't click *Change All* if you only want the specific file you selected to open with that app.

💡If you can't open a file with a specific app, the file may be damaged or may not be recognized by that app. Try opening it with a different app.

 

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