Excel crashes, then loads 39 windows of random Excel files

Hi everyone!

I have been having a very unusual problem over the past several months... and it is officially driving me crazy .

While working in a workbook, Excel will suddenly crash. When I re-open Excel, it will open 39 random Excel files (I counted, literally 39 random files). It takes about 10 minutes to open all those files, and then I have to close them all, and open the file I was originally working on. I have NO idea why this is happening.

Just before it crashes, I'm usually double clicking into a cell to edit the formula, or working with a formula.

This has probably happened 50+ times to me, and I'm at my wits' end .

Any ideas??

I'm working in Excel for Mac, version 16.16.3 (181015)

Does it always happen when you're working on the same workbook?

Originally Posted by Melvosh

Does it always happen when you're working on the same workbook?

No, it has happened in many different workbooks. It's so weird.

Are you running any add-ins, or using a personal macro workbook? I don't know if those are possible in Excel for Macs, but it sounds like something that loads every time Excel does is having a fit.