Can’t save files in excel on a 2nd generation iPad Air as of 2020

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Level 1

8 points

Can’t save files in excel on a 2nd generation iPad Air as of 2020

I’ve used excel on my 2nd generation iPad Air since I bought it 5 years ago. As of Jan 1, I can no longer edit existing files nor create and save new files from the iPad. I get a message, “To edit and save, sign in with an Office 365 subscription” when I open an existing .xlsx or try to create a new file. From what I’ve read, Microsoft now requires an Office 365 subscription if one is using a tablet that is over 10.1 inches, which my old IPad Air is not.

I’ve deleted and reinstalled Excel from the App Store but the problem persists. Has anyone else experienced this problem since we rang in the new year and figured out a way to resolve it?

iPad Air 2, iOS 13

Posted on Jan 2, 2020 6:09 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

thompsam1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 3, 2020 10:20 AM in response to Rupes2

I just solved my problem. On the iPad, I went into Settings --> Excel --> Reset Excel and turned on both the Clear All Workbooks and Delete Sign-In Credentials settings. I then killed Excel and restarted it. During the restart process it prompts me for my Microsoft credentials and I entered in the credentials for a Microsoft OneDrive account (not an Office 365 account). Once Excel started up, I had write privileges again. Hope this solves your problem as well.

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Answer 2

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Jan 3, 2020 6:17 AM in response to thompsam1

No.

Have you tried a simple hard reset of your iPad by holding down both the Home and sleep/wake buttons simultaneously until your iPad goes to black and restarts with Apple logo, then release the buttons?

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Answer 3

QuickPost

Level 10

103,437 points

Jan 2, 2020 11:45 AM in response to thompsam1

Hello,

Have you tried restarting iPad?

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Rupes2

Level 1

4 points

Jan 2, 2020 11:57 AM in response to thompsam1

I have the same problem as of 2020 - tried powering down and restarting on old iPad air 2 which has been running excel and word fine since buying 3-4 yrs ago.

Any ideas - don't really want to succumb to microsoft subscription charges and too old to learn numbers and pages.....

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