Microsoft Excel cannot access .localized file in Documents

Hello everybody.

I have a problem about a missing ".localized" file.

The configuration is as follows:


Device: MacBook MacBook Air

macOS: macOS Tahoe Version 26.1 (25B78)

Application: Microsoft® Excel for Mac Version 16.103.1 (25111624)


When I start Excel, a dialog box reading underneath appears:


Microsoft Excel cannot access the file '/Users/macbook/Documents/.localized'. There are several possible reasons:

• The file name or path does not exist.

• The file is being used by another program.

• The workbook you are trying to save has the same name as a currently open workbook.


I would like to avoid it by re-creating the ".localized" file.


I already issued the Terminal command

"touch  ~/Documents/.localized"

but it did not help.


How can I resolve this issue?

MacBook Air, macOS 26.1

Posted on Nov 19, 2025 4:37 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 21, 2025 6:43 PM

I resolved the problem by contacting Microsoft Support. I just deleted the “At start-up, open all files in” directory under the command “Excel-Preferences-General”. The message does not pop-up any more.

Thanks 6x6 and everyone else who is interested in solving the problem for me.

Best regards

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 21, 2025 6:43 PM in response to 6x6

I resolved the problem by contacting Microsoft Support. I just deleted the “At start-up, open all files in” directory under the command “Excel-Preferences-General”. The message does not pop-up any more.

Thanks 6x6 and everyone else who is interested in solving the problem for me.

Best regards

Microsoft Excel cannot access .localized file in Documents

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